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Not Everyone Likes Butts

Introduction


Not Everyone Likes Butts

Although smoking is a proven killer, Americans waste billions of dollars
each year on tobacco products. Other drugs that are harmful, such as crack or
marijuana, are illegal in the United States. However, the use of cigarettes,
which kills millions worldwide annually, is perfectly legal. If certain harmful
substances are illegal, then cigarettes should not be permitted either.
Smoking has several harmful effects on the body. Cigarettes cause
85 percent of lung cancer and are responsible for 30 percent of all
deaths resulting from cancer (Bartecchi, 49). People who have smoked for a
significant period of time will have noticeable problems breathing and will most
likely be in poor health. One out of four deaths of people 35 to 64 years old result from smoking. On the average, every cigarette takes five and a half minutes of life away from a smoker. (Bartecchi, 46) Although restrictions have been placed on the use of cigarettes in public areas such as restaurants and airplanes, the US has yet to place a ban on smoking. The
government frequently inspects items sold to the American public. Commercial
products that may be dangerous such as food, cars, and toys have been recalled
in order for alterations. In the August 1995 issue of consumer reports, 24 products were recalled because of possible dangers to the consumer. These products included a car that may lose a wheel while in motion, a hair dryer that poses a fire hazard, and cookies that can cause an allergic reaction (Consumer Reports, 500). Yet, the sale of cigarettes, known to be unsafe, has never been prohibited by the government. Why are cigarettes any different from other
products sold in the US?
      Cigarettes are not only harmful to users, but are also damaging to all
people in the vicinity of a smoker. I am a currently employer at Barona Casino, where the smoking of cigarettes and cigars are permitted, and I struggle every shift just so I can...