We constantly hear the words “Don’t smoke”, “Smoking kills you” or “quit smoking”. Some people say they can’t control it, but what if we really can’t? Second hand smoking is extremely dangerous, and almost as dangerous as smoking in general. It has become one of the most common problems in the U.S nowadays. Since 1964 around 2.5 million people have died from health problems caused by second hand smoking, that’s a lot for people who aren’t technically smoking themselves. Some health problems caused by second hand smoking are low birth rate, respiratory infections, ear infections, asthma attacks, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and so much more. Although people don’t inhale the smoke directly into their lungs, the health effects are almost equal as if they were. Smoking is so common nowadays that we see it everywhere. We see it on the side of the streets, in stores, and sometimes even by our own friends. That is why it is important to control it when and if you can. If you know somebody who smokes, remind them of the dangers that come along with it, not just to themselves, but to others as well. It harms the people who care about you the most physically and mentally. However no matter how hard you try, it isn’t always possible to convince someone to stop smoking. That is why it’s important to protect yourself. Some ways you can do this is choosing smoke-free places to dine and shop, asking people who are close to you to be considerate of where they smoke, and stay at least 25-30 feet away from the smoke being released so it doesn’t go into your lung system indefinitely causing damage that isn’t necessary. By prioritizing public health and implementing strict measures on public smoking we can create an environment for future generations.
