In recent years many countries have restricted where smoking is allowed. For example, smoking is often banned in restaurants. Some people believe that smoking should be allowed everywhere. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

In recent years, the introduction of smoking bans in public places

such

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as restaurants, hospitals, and public transport has sparked debate.

While

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some argue that individuals should have the freedom to

smoke

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wherever they choose, I strongly disagree with

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view. I believe that restricting smoking in public areas is both necessary and beneficial for public

health

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, environmental cleanliness, and social well-being. First and foremost, the primary justification for limiting smoking in public places is the protection of non-smokers from secondhand

smoke

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. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the severe

health

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risks associated with passive smoking, including an increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems. Allowing smoking in enclosed or crowded spaces

such

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as restaurants endangers those who have made a conscious choice not to

smoke

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. Public policies must

prioritize

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prioritise

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the greater good, and in

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context, safeguarding the

health

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of the majority far outweighs the individual's right to

smoke

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freely.

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, public smoking contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Cigarette butts are the most commonly discarded piece of waste globally, and they often end up in parks, beaches, and city streets, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment. By limiting smoking to designated areas, governments can better manage waste and reduce the ecological damage caused by

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litter.

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, smoking bans can contribute to a cultural shift that discourages smoking in general, especially among young people. When smoking is

normalized

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normalised

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in everyday public settings, it may seem more acceptable or even desirable to impressionable individuals.

On the other hand

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, restricting it helps to

de-normalize

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de-normalise

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the

behavior

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behaviour

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and may deter future generations from picking up the habit, ultimately reducing the societal burden of smoking-related diseases. Opponents of smoking restrictions often cite personal freedom as a core argument.

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individual rights are important, they must be balanced with the rights of others. The freedom to

smoke

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should not infringe upon the right of others to breathe clean air. In the same way that noise levels, pollution, and dangerous activities are regulated in public spaces, smoking too must be controlled for the safety and comfort of all citizens. In conclusion, I firmly believe that smoking should not be permitted in all public places. The

health

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of non-smokers, the cleanliness of shared environments, and the long-term societal impacts of smoking all justify the enforcement of smoking restrictions. Public

health

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policies must

prioritize

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prioritise

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collective well-being over individual indulgence.