Cigarette smoking involves the burning of tobacco to inhale its smoke. Tobacco smoke is taken into the mouth and then released using tobacco pipes, cigars or cigarettes. This practice is believed to have begun around 5000-3000 BC by Native Americans (Gately, 2007). In today's generation, smoking is regarded as an icon of style that is associated with prestige and fame. Nonetheless, people may smoke for several of reasons but it is their ultimate choice in the matter. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that about 443,000 Americans die of smoking-related deaths annually (CDC, 2005). In this regard, an urgent need for a ban on cigarette smoking is justified to reduce the rising mortality rates.
Cigarette smoking harms both the smokers and non-smokers. The smoker's health is affected in several ways where their chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, cancer and mental health complications become high. Besides, cigarette smoking also affects the health of those that do not use cigarettes. The CDC identified secondhand cigarette smoke as a key contributor to most respiratory problems in non-smokers (CDC, 2005). Further, the CDC reported that children are greatly affected by secondhand cigarette smoke since they are still growing. Children that are exposed to cigarette smoke more frequently have higher chances of contracting pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, and the fatal sudden infant death syndrome. In the U.S., one in five deaths is caused by cigarette smoking, making this practice the largest cause of premature deaths in the country that are linked to various types of cancer, such as prostate, breast, lung, cervical, stomach and mouth cancers. That is exactly how deadly cigarette smoking is as a habit.
Tobacco sales benefit the government since it gets high tax revenues from tobacco manufacturers. However, cigarette smoking also exerts a heavy financial burden on the society.