It is early days but in Italy the research seems to confirm what most of us know intuitively. Smoking kills people who smoke AND those in the company of smokers.
I speak as an ex-smoker (I gave up almost 3 years ago) and I have sympathy for smokers who find it difficult to give up the habit.
The early evidence from Italy about their public smoking ban indicates a significant drop in heart attacks.
When I think seriously about it, I used to do the equivalent of taking a five pound note out of my wallet and set fire to it every day. Not only that I inhaled the smoke - I know it sounds crazy!
Apart from the significant cost it was a habit that was killing me before my time was due.
Having said that I recognise the challenge of giving up and it is not easy.
I hope in my lifetime we see a ban on smoking in the UK – it may be the only way to wipe it out completely.
2 comments:
As a non smoker I feel really annoyed by smoke and appreciate the measures that ban smoking in public places. If you have a habit, ok that's up to you , but please don't bother the people around. What would smokers think if everybody made public their "private vices"?
A great point Felix and I agree that smokers should have the freedom to choose - but not in my air-space :-)
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