Articles of the Month

Smoking Policies

Many people in today's society choose to smoke and slowly harm their bodies. Those people that make choice not to smoke should not have to inhale these toxic chemicals into their body. I truly believe that policies on public smoking should be enacted Canada wide.

Cities such as Ottawa and Vancouver have such policies in action. This means that in public places, such as restaurants and bars, it is illegal to smoke. For every one person that smokes a cigarette, many more have to inhale these life-killing substances back into their own lungs. How is that fair? Those who want to stay strong and healthy are at risk all because others are harming themselves.

Smoking is a dangerous and harmful habit. Each year, many people die from the effects of smoking and second-hand smoke. Diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer take the lives of many people in today's world. Did you ever wonder why it is illegal for those under 19 to buy cigarettes when yet they go to a restaurant for dinner and they have no other choice but to smoke? Non-smokers should not have to suffer.

A lot of Canadian cities do not have policies on public smoking. I believe something this important and deadly should be put into place. All it takes is a few voices to get the message across that they don't want other people's smoke, they don't want to breathe in deadly chemicals and they don't want to harm themselves when it is completely unnecessary. These people are not asking for too much. They want and deserve the freedom to go out to a dance, club, or public event and not have to worry about inhaling toxic chemicals that will possibly lead to a deadly disease. If some cities in Canada have these rights, then it should definitely be made Canada-wide.

I, along with millions of others, am sure and truly believe that anti-smoking policies should be placed in every city and province in Canada. Along with the help of the government, Health Canada, and many voices across the country, hopefully this could come true.