Smoking has become one of the leading factors that result in chronic ailments and in some cases even death of the individuals. According to various health reports published in medical journals, it has been clearly stated that a huge section of the society is under threat of facing premature deaths or grave diseases.

An active smoker is definitely at a risk of developing medical conditions which could adversely affect his health. But the disastrous results of smoking do not end over here only. The passive smokers are equally exposed to the risk. Passive smokers are those persons who don’t inhale the tobacco smoke by themselves but they are present in the vicinity or environ where an active smoker releases the smoke. This is indirectly inhaled by the passive smokers. This phenomenon is often called as second hand smoke. The infants and elderly are at higher risk of developing the complications due to second hand smoke. The reason behind is that their immune system is weak and is not in a state to effectively manage the harms caused by passive smoking.

To ensure the safety of the public, several governments all over the world has put a ban on smoking in public areas. Considering the gravity of the situation, this step has been taken by the government authorities. The city of Saint Luis Obispo, California was the first state that implemented the law prohibiting smoke in indoor public places including bar and restaurants. In July 2007, Chandigarh became the first smoke free city in India. In some countries, selling of any kind of tobacco products to minors has been declared illegal. This has been done to save the younger generation from falling into the trap of tobacco.

Breathing is a physiological process necessary for the sustenance of life of human beings. Hence no rectification or amendment can be done about it. But ‘to smoke or not’ is very much in the hands of the individual. Hence by banning smoking in public places; those persons are directly saved who chose not to smoke.

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Only a healthy population can form a healthy nation. By implementing laws restricting public smoking, effectively reduces the budget spent in healthcare sector. A healthy population result in increased productivity which in turn leads to the overall development of the nation.

Scientific studies has shown that non-smokers living with the smoker partners are at a higher risk of developing diseases like COPD, asthma, hypertension, and bronchitis as compared to those who are living with non-smokers. Infants are particularly at higher risk. As their immune system is still under developmental stages and thence they are least capable of warding off the undesirable substances.

There are certain voices in the society who oppose such kinds of ban citing the reason that it is interference in the personal lives. But the greatest contradiction is that the smokers are directly interfering in the lives of non-smokers by releasing tons of tobacco and other harmful chemicals. Ban on smoking in public places is one of the essential elements to safeguard the fundamental right of every citizen to live. It should be strictly implemented for the benefits of society.