Works Cited

"CDC-Data & Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.cdc.gov/datastatistics/archive/second-hand-smoke.html>.

 

"Dangers of Second-hand smoke." Smokefree Bristol Alliance. Bristol Alliance, 2009.  Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <http://www.smokefreebristol.org/second-hand-smoke-dangers.html>.

 

Harris, Gardiner.  "F.D.A. Unveils Proposed Graphic Warning Labels for Cigarette Packs." New York times. New York Times, 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/health/policy/11tobacco.html?scp=1&sq=effect%20of%20smoking%20ban%st-cse>.

 

 Hurt, Richard D. "Will an Air Purifier Remove Cigarette Smoke?" Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 02 Mar. 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/air-purifier-smoke/AN02073>.

 

"Quit Smoking Treatments | Quit Smoking Blog." Quit Smoking Blog - How To Quit Smoking. 19 July 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://www.deepturtle.net/category/quit-smoking-treatments>.

 

"Report: Ban Smoking in Public Places - Health - Addictions - Msnbc.com."  Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News- Msnbc.com.  Associated Press, 27 June 2006. We. 10 Nov. 2010/ <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13569976/>.

 

Ryan, Jason. "Surfside Won't Allow Smoking on the Sand Beginning in October."EBSCOhost. The Sun News, 26 July 2007. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. <http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=1&hid=15&sid=8d45ee35-c9d0-4e59-a170-0b69ca35ef8d%40sessionmgr15&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU%3d#db=nfh&AN=2W62W63080094945>.

 

Secondhand Smoke and Cancer - National Cancer Institute." National Cancer Institute -   
Comprehensive Cancer Information. National Cancer Institute, 29 Oct. 2010. Web. 03 Nov. 2010. <http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/ETS>.

 

Singh, Bhupinder.  Blogger, 08 Feb.  2010.  Web.  09 Nov. 2010.  
<http://bskhalsa.blogspot.com/2010/02/sggs-jeeo-726-pan-supari-khatia-mukh.html>.

Reflection Paragraph on Process

While conducting my research, I had so many emotions running through my head it was hard to keep track. First I felt confused; I was confused because I couldn't see how anyone could put nonsmokers through so much physical danger. I was also a little mad that people knew about how much danger secondhand smoke was to others, but no one was doing anything about it. And finally I was a little sad that even little kids, who are affected the most, who have smokers for parents that smoke around them. These kids have no voice against the fact that they are being forced to breathe unhealthy, dirty air. Conducting research on this topic was definitely a challenge. It was hard to find articles that weren't biased, or that actually pertained to my topic. The thing that I enjoyed most about this was making the Animoto to promote my blog, and also just learning new things every single day about how secondhand smoke endangers everyone's lives. If I were to do thing project again, I would probably get my blog posts done early. I would do this so that I would have ample time to make sure that they were written to the best of my ability. By doing this I would also have been able to enjoy working on my project a lot more because I wouldn't be stressing to get the work done on time.

Reflection Paragraph on Sources

In the midst of conducting my research, I didn't have very much trouble finding useful and credible sources. It was fairly easy to find information on the effects of secondhand smoking and what that is. But it was a little harder to find information on the effects of having a ban on smoking in public places; finding information dealing with South Carolina specifically was definitely a challenge. The most useful source that I encountered during my research would probably be Mayo Clinic. It had a lot of useful information on the health aspect of my topic. On that website is where I learned a lot of my information about what secondhand smoke really does to you. The most trustworthy source that I used was EBSCO host. It is the most trustworthy because it isn't just your average Google search. This search engine pulls information from the latest and most trusted web articles and newspapers. However, the sources that displayed obvious bias were the ones that were mainly MSNBC because most of the articles dealing with my topic on that site were editorials. But for the most part, overall, my research on whether South Carolina should place a ban on smoking in public places was a success.

Wordle #1 based on useful site

Source:
"Report: Ban Smoking in Public Places - Health - Addictions - Msnbc.com."  Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News- Msnbc.com.  Associated Press, 27 June 2006. We. 10 Nov. 2010/ <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13569976/>.

Reflection Paragraph on Findings

    In the process of researching my topic of smoking in public places, I was educated on the various pros and cons of having a ban on smoking in public places. There were many cons to having a ban; however, I believe that having one in South Carolina is still a good idea. The most important facts that I learned would probably be about how secondhand smoke affects your body. I learned that not only does secondhand smoke cause you to have trouble breathing and to have a sore throat, but it causes cancer, lung disease, asthma, and many other life-threatening diseases. To me, the most surprising facts were about how big of a problem secondhand smoke is everywhere. There is about 126 million people exposed to secondhand smoke in the US currently (CDC-Data & Statistics). I also found the fact that secondhand smoke is so damaging to your health. I had no idea that secondhand smoke took such a toll on the overall quality of your life. Also how easy it is to avoid the problem entirely by just smoking outside and not around other nonsmokers. Another thing that was shocking to me was the amount of young children that are exposed to secondhand smoke. I can't understand why a parent would even think about smoking around their child, let alone do it. Some questions that I still have are, the obvious one, will South Carolina ever adopt the ban on smoking in public places that so many other states have? Would it help the cause if smokers were more educated on the affects of secondhand smoking? Would placing a ban on smoking in restaurants and other public places really reduce the amount of tourists that come to South Carolina? After conducting research on my topic, I still feel just as strongly if not more than I did when I first started out. I believe more now than ever that there should be a ban on smoking in public places because by just doing that the number of secondhand smoke related illnesses and deaths would be decreased immensely.

Finding Paragraph #3

The last question I ask is, "is a ban on smoking in public places in South Carolina plausible?" The answer is yes. I believe that having a ban on smoking in public places in South Carolina is plausible. Even though it may take a while, maybe even a couple years, it can still happen. Having this ban is plausible for three reasons. The first reason is that yes, people would be upset, but they will get over it (EBSCO host). They will realize that by just going outside to smoke they are saving so many others lives. Since some smokers probably are ignorant to the fact that secondhand smoke is so fatal, and how much harm it causes, when they are educated of these facts most will probably be more than willing to spare nonsmokers and others around them by just going outside. The second reason is 47 states already have a ban on smoking already. If the majority of the states in the United States already have this ban and it is working effectively, I think that South Carolina will be just fine. The third and final reason is that some restaurants and bars in the Charleston, South Carolina have put bans on smoking in their establishments; some restaurants Greenville, South Carolina have a similar ban as well, and they are both still thriving financially. Since some places in South Carolina have already taken the steps to a healthier community and succeeded, there is no reason that the rest of the state couldn't follow.

Finding Paragraph #2

Why is holding South Carolina back from pursuing the ban on smoking in public places? The answer should be nothing; But sadly , this is not the case. Even though there should be no question about whether having a ban on smoking in public places in South Carolina would be a good thing or not, there is. "There is good evidence that comprehensive smoking bans, like those in New York City and Boston, don't economically hurt the hospitality industry (Ban Smoking in Public Places). Basically this means that since so many people already go to those places a ban on smoking wouldn't really affect them very much. You can infer from this that they are saying places that don't have massive amounts of people would have a real struggle keeping their tourist industry if a ban was put on smoking in public places. Many people believe that because there is a ban on smoking in South Carolina, people won't want to come here; since most of the income gained is through tourists, our economy will suffer (Ryan). The state government is also worried that people will become very upset with the state and will complain. But honestly, there isn't a single decision someone can make without there being someone on the opposing side. Eventually people will get over it. Another setback is the fact that in order for a law or ban to be passed it must undergo a time consuming and strenuous process just to even consider getting it passed (EBSCO host). Although passing a ban takes a lot of consideration, manual labor, and reinforcement, it is worth it. So many lives would be saved if you weren't subjected to breathing in the toxins of secondhand smoking every time you went to a public place like a restaurant or bowling alley.

Finding Paragraph #1

    Many people are unaware of the illnesses that secondhand smoking causes. According to Matthew Myers, "there is no longer a scientific controversy that secondhand smoke is a killer." So there is no question whether there should be a ban on smoking in public places. The answer is obviously yes. As expressed in "Danger of Secondhand-Smoke" secondhand smoking is just as bad, if not worse than actually smoking a cigarette yourself. Secondhand smoking also increases the risk of getting many fatal diseases that are very hard to cure. Some of these include heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, damaging of the arteries, and many more (Hurt). Also for those people that have children and smoke, they are also putting their children in great danger. Children can develop a low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), middle ear infections, lower respitory tract infections, and asthma (Mayo Clinic). All of these diseases and illnesses are caused by extreme, continuous exposure to secondhand smoke; before you start to develop these health conditions, you will start to notice some minor side effects taking place. Some of these side effects include headache, having trouble breathing, coughing, and sore throat (Terpening). Along with causing people to inhale toxic chemicals that cause you to get seriously sick, secondhand smoking also has an effect on the amount of people smoking, and at what ages they are. Since so many people are smoking around young kids and teens, they would be more inclined to smoke themselves. Because there is no ban on smoking in public places, everywhere you go people are smoking. And not many people realize just how much secondhand smoking is effecting the health and overall pleasantness of our local community.

Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #5

This article is explaining that Surfside, South Carolina was going to undergo a ban for smoking in public places.  It is also talking about how making this ban would truly make our community a safer and healthier place to be.  Not only would it reduce the amount of secondhand smoke that you are exposed to, but there wouldn't be such a big litter problem on the beaches.  There would also be less risk of fire, and you also wouldn't have to worry about your children or pets picking up any cigarette butts just laying on the ground and eating them.

"While there are concerns about the dangers of secondhand smoke at some crowded outdoor public places such as children's baseball fields or amphitheaters, Frick said, community leaders also enact the outdoor bans to reduce the risk of fire, litter and danger to children and animals that may eat cigarette butts."

Even though community members are worried about secondhand smoke at family friend public places, there should also be a ban for smoking outdoors as well.  By smoking outside you are putting the environment and others around you in danger.  Young kids and animals have the risk of eating cigarette butts; banning cigarettes would also reduce the risk of fire and litter.

Source:

Ryan, Jason. "Surfside Won't Allow Smoking on the Sand Beginning in October." EBSCOhost. The Sun News, 26 July 2007. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. <http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=1&hid=15&sid=8d45ee35-c9d0-4e59-a170-0b69ca35ef8d%40sessionmgr15&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU%3d#db=nfh&AN=2W62W63080094945>.

Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #4

This article is explaining that many people and business owners purchase air purifiers to try and eliminate the smoke in the air caused by people smoking in their buildings.  While they mean well in trying to make their establishments healthier; the air filters aren't doing much good at all.  The small particles of tobacco are so small that they slip right past any filter.


"Mechanical air filters, such as HEPA filters, and electronic air cleaners, such as ionizers, target particles, but tobacco smoke particles are designed to be small enough to be inhaled into the outer reaches of the lungs and, thus, are not trapped by such devices.  Other air cleaners generate ozone, which is actually lung irritant.  At levels that don't exceed public health standards, ozone has little ability to remove air contaminants such as cigarette smoke." - Richard D. Hurt, M.D.


The air filters that are used in public places like offices and restaurants don't eliminate cigarette smoke from the air.  This is because the different particles of smoke are made to be so miniscule that they can be inhaled into the various parts of the lungs by smokers.  So therefore, the particles are too small to get caught in the filters.  Also these air filters are not only not eliminated the smoker in the air, but making ozone, which is proven to irritate your lungs.  So in reality, the air filters are meant to be helping make places healthier, aren't doing their job.


Source:

 Hurt, Richard D. "Will an Air Purifier Remove Cigarette Smoke?" Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 02 Mar. 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/air-purifier-smoke/AN02073>.

Graph and Citation

This is a graph showing how many nonsmokers are exposed to secondhand smoke.

Source:

"CDC-Data & Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.cdc.gov/datastatistics/archive/second-hand-smoke.html>.

Photo, Caption, and Citation #3

This picture shows a person that is smoking, but instead of smoking a cigarette, they are smoking money. This is basically showing how much money people are wasting on smoking; by wasting money on cigarettes it is damaging our economy. If there was a ban on smoking in public places then smokers wouldn't have as much of a chance to smoke. So they wouldn't start smoking in the first place, therefore making our community a healthier place to be.


Source:

"Quit Smoking Treatments Quit Smoking Blog." Quit Smoking Blog- How To Quit Smoking. 19 July 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. .

Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #3

"Every day, about 1,000 children and teenagers become regular smokers, and 4,000 try smoking for the first time.  About 440,000 people die every year from smoking-related health problems, and the cost to treat such problems exceeds $96 billion a year." - Gardiner Harris

Addictions to smoking are continuing to start at younger ages as the years progress.  Over 1,000 children and teens begin to smoke on a regular basis every single day.  About 440,000 people die from smoking related illnesses each year.  The cost to treat these illnesses due to smoking costs more than $96 billion a year.

I believe that the reason so many people are becoming smokers is because there are people smoking all around us.  Cigarettes have become much more readily available and easily obtainable as the years progress.  If there was a ban on smoking in public places, the I believe that the smoking rate would decrease immensely; since there wouldn't be people around you tempting you to smoke, you simply wouldn't have the desire.

Harris, Gardiner.  "F.D.A. Unveils Proposed Graphic Warning Labels for Cigarette Packs." New York times. New York Times, 10 Nov. 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/11/health/policy/11tobacco.html?scp=1&sq=effect%20of%20smoking%20ban%st-cse>.

Photo, Caption, and Citation #2

This picture shows a baby that is breathing in secondhand smoke.  This is exactly what is happening when you are forced to breath in the smoke exhaled from a smoker.  It is exactly like the baby is the one smoking; however, because the baby is secondhand smoking, he will recieve just as many, if not more illnesses than a reregular smoker.  Since the baby has no choice but to breathe in this smoky air, it will continue to do so until the smoker stops.  This could all be avoided by just having a ban on smoking in public places, where little kids are, as well as other adults who are forced to breath dirty air.


Source:
"Dangers of Second-hand smoke." Smokefree Bristol Alliance. Bristol Alliance, 2009.  Web. 10 Nov. 2010. <http://www.smokefreebristol.org/second-hand-smoke-dangers.html>.

Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #2

There are many fatal dangers to secondhand smoking.  Community members and health practitioners alike are worried that the levels of nicotine in the air are so high, if exposed to enough, can be deathly.  There is no discussion that breathing in someone else's smoke is harmful.  Also, if smoking is banned, it will hopefully deter people from actively smoking; however, this ban may deteriorate the area's hospitality industry.

"' There is no longer a scientific controversy that secondhand smoke is a killer," he said.  The report "eliminates any excuse from any state or city for taking halfway measures to restrict smoking, or permitting smoking in any indoor workplace.'"

There is no doubt that secondhand smoking is fatal to everyone.  There should be no reason that restaurants and public places in general to have a ban on smoking.  This ban is especially effective when dealing with a place that is small, enclosed, and with little ventilation.  

Source:

"Report: Ban Smoking in Public Places - Health - Addictions - Msnbc.com."  Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News- Msnbc.com.  Associated Press, 27 June 2006. We. 10 Nov. 2010/ <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13569976/>.

Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #1

Secondhand smoke is incredibly damaging to your health.  When forced to breathe in the toxins from the smoke, you are injuring your body with every breath.  Even low levels of secondhand smoke in the air are still dangerous.  When being subjected to the smoke you are inevitably giving yourself various life-threatening diseases and cancers. 

"Secondhand smoke is associated  with disease and premature death in nonsmoking adults and children.  Exposure to secondhand smoke irriates the airways and has immediate harmful effects on a person's heart and blood vessels.  It make increase the risk of heart disease by an estimated 25 to 30 percent.  In the United States, secondhand smoke is thought to cause about 46,000 heart disease deaths each year.  There may also be a link between exposure to secondhand smoke and the risk of stroke and hardening of the arteries; however, additional research is needed to confirm this link." - The National Cancer Institute

Secondhand smoke is incredibly detrimental to your health.  It does more damage to your body than people may think.  Not only does secondhand smoking enhance the risk of heart disease, stroke, and damaging your arteries, but it also can be fatal and life threatening.  According to the National Cancer Institute, in the United States 46,000 heart disease patient's lives are taken yearly.  All of these diseases are suspected to be linked to secondhand smoking; however, after extensive studies and tests have been performed, it can be a proven fact.

Source:

Secondhand Smoke and Cancer - National Cancer Institute." National Cancer Institute -   
Comprehensive Cancer Information. National Cancer Institute, 29 Oct. 2010. Web. 03 Nov. 2010. <http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/ETS>.

Photo, Caption, and Citation #1

                                     http://www.indiadaily.org/images/ban-on-smoking111 26.jpg

       This picture shows a guy that is smoking at a stop sign while everyone is waiting to cross the street.  The smoke is going to everyone, including the children and choking them.  This related to my topic because the guy is smoking in a public place; therefore, harming everyone around him.

Source:  
Singh, Bhupinder.  Blogger, 08 Feb.  2010.  Web.  09 Nov. 2010.  
<http://bskhalsa.blogspot.com/2010/02/sggs-jeeo-726-pan-supari-khatia-mukh.html>.

 

Preliminary links and descriptions

http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=3&hid=9&sid=4d1cf0d0-a899-4e88-8d02-5f4092e06dd8%40sessionmgr11&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU%3d#db=nfh&AN=2W62163788960 

This article is explaining that placing a ban on smoking in public places is a very smart and sensible thing to do. It also explains that even though some smokers will complain about the ban, in the long run it will be better for everyone being able to breath clean air.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/secondhand-smoke/CC00023

This article is explaining exactly what secondhand smoke is, inhaling the smoke that a person smoking a cigarette is exhaling. This also explains some of the many chemicals that is in secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke includes Benzene; according to Garry Crystal used in plastic, synthetic rubber, oil, and many dyes, Lead; which is used as a radiation guard for x-ray equipment, it is also used in paint, and Nickel; which is used in making various metals, and different types of ceramics.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/air-purifier-smoke/AN02073

This article is explaining that most people like to purchase air purifiers because they believe that it will remove cigarette smoke from the air. But as Dr. Hurt explains, having an air purifier has no effect on the amount of cigarette smoke in the air.

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/web/common.nsf/key/billsabout

This article explains the process behind creating and passing a law in the United States. It explains that there are many steps which include initiating it, and the process Parliament has to go through.

Wordle #2 based on topic key terms

Animoto based on search questions

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

What would I like to know about my topic?

Why is there still no ban on smoking in public places in South Carolina?  There are many things that are still a mystery to me about the lack of a ban on smoking in public places in South Carolina.  The most obvious question is, "Why would people smoke around children and other people in the first place?"  Are these smokers ignorant to the fact that they are causing these people so much harm?  I believe that if a person is choosing to smoke in a public place they should be aware of just how much harm they are causing others around them.  I think that if smokers are educated about secondhand smoke, they will be less likely to smoke in a public place; however, education might not affect their decisions.  I would also like to know what is holding South Carolina government back from pursuing this ban.  What is involved in passing a ban or law?  Who decides whether a ban is passed or not?  There are plenty of answers out there, I will find the answers -- that will make my voice heard.

What I know about my topic

       I do not really know much about the specific health factors my topic includes, but I do know that it has become a serious problem in our state.  I do know that almost all of the other states except for a select few, South Carolina being one of them, have a ban on smoking in public places.  When people are smoking around other nonsmokers, they are causing the nonsmokers to secondhand smoke.  When you secondhand smoke, it can be incredibly hazardous to your overall health; second hand smoke is almost as bad as smoking yourself.  Secondhand smoke is filled with hundreds of toxic chemicals that can give you various diseases that can impact the rest of your life.  It is also extremely dangerous for small children and kids to be subjected to breathing in this far from clean air when being around smokers.  I also know that there should be a ban put on smoking in public, supposedly family-friendly establishments, especially those that are in an enclosed area.

The Story Behind a Ban on Smoking in Public Places

Did you know that secondhand smoke can be equally or even more harmful than actually smoking yourself?  As much as people try to make you believe it, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke.  Secondhand smoke can cause sore throat, heart attack, lung disease, COPD, stroke, asthma, hypoxemia, and many other harmful and potentially life-threatening health issues.  When going to a public place, nonsmokers, especially children, should not have to be subjected to these health risks.  South Carolina is one of the fifteen states out of the fifty that still does not have a ban on smoking in public places.  I chose this topic because I personally am not fond of potentially risking my overall health because I want to eat in a restaurant where people are smoking all around me.  I also believe that I cannot be the only person that is thinking this as well; this is why most of the other states already have a ban on smoking in public places.  I think that if there is a ban put on smoking in public places in South Carolina, South Carolina will become a much more pleasant, family-friendly place to be, not to mention healthier.