Editorial: Keep the Smoking for When You’re Alone by Gilda

Contradictions within the environment — ambient cigarette smoke at an otherwise health-promoting farmer’s market. 

         

    Having smoke-free outdoor areas, such as farmers’ markets, can attract many different groups of people. For example, many people could shop at the market, but some will not show up due to cigarette smoke. I think \ people are more likely to go to a market where they know their children will not be endangered by secondhand smoke.

American Lung Association states that “secondhand smoke is responsible for between 150,000 and 300,000 respiratory tract infections in infants and children fewer than 18 months of age.” Many of these may be because these infants and children were taken to areas where smoking was allowed. I believe this could have been avoided if they were simply rules that banned them. Some may think secondhand smoke is not an issue, but it is.

The National Cancer Institute said, “In the United States secondhand smoke is thought to cause about 46,000 heart disease deaths each year.” By eliminating smoke in farmers’ market areas, not only will the community gain access to fresh vegetables and fruits, but also gain peace of mind knowing they are not exposed to carcinogens in cigarette smoke.

Maybe, yes a smoker is better off smoking outside than inside, where it could affect many more people. So where would a smoker smoke, you ask? Well, I am not saying they cannot smoke anywhere, but to just reconsider where they choose smoke. Just remember this can save one life at a time.

 According to the American Cancer Society, “more than 250 chemicals in a cigarette are known to be harmful.” That’s a lot of chemicals that can cause someone to get a disease. Farmers markets’ are better off banning smoking. This could actually get more people to shop there.