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Charles Thurston

IIP Step 3: Narrative

UWRT 1102-027

10/2/14Ban on Smoking in Public Outdoor Areas

In September there was a proposed ban on smoking on all government controlled outdoor

public grounds in Mecklenburg County including areas such as golf courses, parks, and

greenways. This proposal includes a ban on E-cigs as well. The vote for this proposal was

scheduled to take place on September 17 but has already been delayed and has not been

rescheduled. The delay occurred because officials wanted to hear more input from the towns that

are part of the county.

There are several different arguments that can be made for and against this ban. These

arguments consist of things such as peoples rights, possible economic effects, and health issues.

From what I have learned on the topic it would appear that the reasons to oppose the ban

outweigh the benefits of the ban but others might disagree. The issue with whether one is for or

against the ban is the fact that most people have a bias opinion on the topic. Smokers are

generally against the ban and non-smokers are generally for it. The arguments that disagree with

the ban are peoples rights, possible economic effects, and even some aspects of health issues.

The only argue that can support the ban is heath issues and it can also be used against the ban.

The first argument is that the ban takes things too far and becomes a violation of peoples

rights. This ban is pushing one step closer to banning smoking all together. Based on history,

banning things only works with a compromise and only to a limit. The last time this situation

occurred was the alcohol prohibition. When this happened there were spikes in crime rates and

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illegal activity and several other problems occurred until the ban was lifted. If this ends up

happing with smoking it should be expected that the same issues will arise again.

The next argument is the possible economic effects. This concern is especially important

in the area where the ban is proposed. This is due to the large number of tobacco companies that

are based and operate in this area. The concern is that there will be a significant drop in smoking

which will cause tobacco companies to lose business. If this happens there is a possibility that

tobacco companies will have to cut down on employees and reduce the number of jobs. This

potential outcome will negatively impact the economy in two main ways. First it will reduce the

amount of income in this area and secondly it will raise the unemployment in this area.

The last main concern involves health issues. E-cigs are the healthier option compared to

smoking which raises a question. Why are e-cigs included in the ban? This ban will most likely

decrease the smoking of tobacco and e-cigs with equal proportion. This will have a moderately

significant positive impact on the health of non-smokers but no significant positive impact on the

heath of smokers. If e-cigs were not included in the ban than there would be an increase in the

number of people that convert from smoking tobacco to smoking e-cigs. Since e-cigs are a

healthier option there would be a moderately significant positive impact on the health of both

smokers and non-smokers. This compromise would have a larger positive effect on the health of

the entire population than the proposed ban on both smoked tobacco and e-cigs.