by Annie H. Liko

Created on: June 09, 2008   Last Updated: September 24, 2009

Stiffer penalties should be imposed on offenders who smoke in public areas. The impact of secondary inhalation had been proven to cause lung cancer and other lung-related problems. There have been numerous cases whereby innocent people, notably children, have been dying of cancer due to the secondary impact of inhalation. Why should the society compromise with people who would put other innocent people's health in jeopardy? They puffed and puffed - some citing stress as the main reason - and yet when somebody had fallen victim to their pleasure, who suffers? Who would be the one going through all the pain, the trauma of medical treatment? Who would be the one laboring for breath and needing oxygen mask? Will those responsible be willing to hand over their life savings to pay for the victim's medical bills? Whose future would be robbed?

If these people want to smoke, by all means, do so, let them smoke until their lungs are fill with ashes, until their coughs are heavy with phlegm which will then clog their lungs, until their bodies turn skeletal, until their lungs are just like an old, crumpled plastic bags, full of holes, until they will have to gasp for air with each steps that they take. By all means, build recreational centers for them which should open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for them to enjoy their puffing sessions. Make it as convenient as possible. Set up counters selling all brands of their cigarettes, from "ultra light to medium to heavily-tarred". For those who are willing to pay more and in need of some privacy, provide them with small rooms minus the ventilation, just a ceiling fan will do so that after each exhalation, they could inhale back the fumes. In these ways, no fumes would be wasted and they would also be guaranteed of getting more than a double dose. Isn't it a great way to enjoy life?

Once their body could no longer tolerate the Nicotine, they would be begging to be given medical treatment. Why bother at all? By the time they feel the excruciating pains their lungs could already be in a very bad shape. Nothing would be able to patch up the holes anymore, not even the best and most expensive super glue in town. Nothing would be able to erase the tars on the lungs' wall; even the toughest steel scrubber with the sharp edges would not help. No one should pity them for the predicament they are in as they are the ones who want to be cool, who think they are smart enough to ruin their own life. Let them feel the heat. It's payback time.

Parents, if you smoke, how in the world you are going to tell your own children that smoking is not good for their health. You lead by example, justify your action. Beware of your habits. Never take smoking lightly. For all we know, our loved ones might be the next person falling victim to the situation. If you smoke by choice, it is entirely your decision but do not risk the health of the non-smokers. The governments should step up their action and impose the bylaws on smoking strictly. Our children's health should not be pawned just because some people chose to be a smoker. Children are part of the society and therefore no one should be allowed to smoke in public.

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