Time to pull the plug on smoking
OPINION By Al Seymour
F or those who are unable or unwilling to call it quits, when it comes to smoking, this column might not be in harmony with your stance on this highly sensitive issue.
Around the world the noose is tightening for those who oppose efforts to create a smoke free environment aimed at reducing the amount of deaths directly linked to smoking, and the countless victims of second-hand smoke.
This topic angers some who feel their right to smoke is personal and should not be infringed upon by any Government. However, statistics on a global scale supported by medical experts leave little doubt that smoking continues to adversely affect the health of millions, and unless drastic steps are taken the deadly trend will continue.
Many countries around the world have already implemented measures aimed at eliminating the smoking habit. Obviously resistance is high from avid smokers who feel their privacy is being invaded even though many of these people have no qualms about their second-hand smoke invading the privacy of others.
The driving force behind tough measures to combat smoking is linked with related health problems that have boosted insurance rates placing a heavier burden on overall health care programmes.
Recent published statistics show a sharp reduction in heart attacks as a direct result of widespread smoking bans throughout Europe and North America, and the bans have been so effective that practically every country has some form of a smoking ban in place.
Here in Bermuda, smoking is prohibited in all Government buildings and almost every building used by the public. However, the issue of smoking in public is so sensitive that a complete ban at the moment seems out of the question.
In this enlightened age of health damage caused by smoking, it is disturbing to see a young expectant mother with a cigarette in her hand. Even more troubling is a vehicle with children and the driver polluting their air with second-hand smoke.
Many homes throughout Bermuda have ceased to allow even relatives to smoke inside, which is a good thing while others smoke even with children present. Not a good thing.
It might seem unthinkable, but the day will probably come when smoking in Bermuda will be banned in all public places including major sporting events such as Cup Match. It is the dreaded second-hand smoke which is also driving Governments around the world to pull the plug on smoking.
The health ministry in India attributes 900,000 deaths each year with none of them ever having smoked. In fact they estimate by 2010, a million people could die each year from the effects of second-hand smoke. Those figures are staggering, but such statistics are prompting a hard look at the issue worldwide.
In the US state of California, a smoking ban even includes all public beaches. As health care continues to boil in many countries, the effects of smoking, including second-hand smoke, become dominant factors in attempts to discourage a new generation from becoming addicted to smoking.
It is a subject that should not evolve into a war between the smoker and the non-smoker. As long as medical evidence from years of study shows real dangers from smoking and being exposed to second-hand smoke, all Governments should be looking to eradicate such a menace to health.
Even President Obama admitted he was in that group who needed to kick the habit. Of course he was quick to point out that he never smoked at home.
The move to have a cleaner atmosphere when it comes to smoking has even resulted in Germany this year considering making their annual Munich beer festival a non-smoking event. In France the Government is waging a major campaign to discourage lighting up since they feel a change in attitudes could help reduce the budget for health care.
As we mentioned in the beginning, most smokers will not be overly receptive to further smoking bans. It took a while for the global public to adjust to no smoking on any commercial airliner, but now it is an accepted standard. Some young people feel it is cool to be holding a cigarette until they learn later that too many cigarettes could leave them permanently cool. Education and attitude changes involving smoking are needed before we can move to the high ground of a non-smoking community, which would hopefully benefit future generations.
