1. Do you agree with the no smoking law in all public buildings in the state of Illinois? Should other states pass this law? What are the physical effects of second hand smoke on a child's airway? Should smoking in the presence of young children be considered a form of child abuse?
I agree with the no smoking law in all public places in Illinois. This law has a noble course that entails the protection of the public from the harmful effects that comes from the exposure to the cigarette smoke (Illinois Department of Public Health, 2018). Apparently, there are cancer-causing chemicals that the second hand smoke harbors. If a non-smoker inhales the smoke from the cigarettes, they get exposed to these chemicals. Children are also exposed to secondhand smoking while in some public places. This scenario indicates that children get exposed to the cancer-causing chemicals at a tender age and this exposure shortens their life span. On adults, nonsmokers are usually at risk of contracting lung cancer and heart diseases when they get an exposure to cigarette smoke (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018). Given the harmful effects that cigarette smoking cause to nonsmokers, other states should pass this law since it is in the interest of the public, especially on the reduction of heart diseases (American College of Cardiology, 2009). The passage of this law is one of the actions that any government can take in order to promote public health.
One of the effects of second hand smoke on children entails an abnormal growth of lungs (America Academy of Pediatrics, 2018). Children also are at risks of developing pneumonia, asthma and bronchitis after an exposure to second hand smoking. This exposure also cause wheezing and coughing on children. Ideally, a smoking in the presence of children is a form of child abuse. If an action can cause harm and injury to a child, then it qualifies as a form of child abuse (Childhelp, 2018). Secondhand smoking causes several health condition to children and a person that does it violates the right of the child to grow in a safe environment.
References
America Academy of Pediatrics, (2018). The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke. Retrieved from
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/tobacco/Pages/Dangers-of-Secondhand-Smoke.aspx
American College of Cardiology, (2009). Banning Smoking In Public Places And Workplaces Is
Good For The Heart, Study Finds. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090921173121.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2018). Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke.
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/secondhand_smoke/health_effects/index.htm
Childhelp, (2018). The Issue of Child Abuse. Retrieved from
https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/
Illinois Department of Public Health, (2018). Understanding the Smoke-free Illinois Act.
Retrieved from http://www.smoke-free.illinois.gov/sf_info_wp.htm
