Kimbrell

Jenae Kimbrell
Hutton
AP Literature
10/21/15
Cigarette Smoking Should be Illegalized

Did you know 1 in 5 Americans die from cigarette smoke? Cigarette smoking is
the most common addiction in the United States and is distributed from companies all
around the globe. Smoking affects you, me, our children, and even our wildlife. This
nasty habit is responsible for thirty percent of our world pollution. However, the industry
refuses to quit the tobacco business because of large revenue. We cant make a change
unless we ban this nasty habit. Cigarette smoking should be illegalized because the toxins
and chemicals hurt our health and our environment.
Do you smoke cigarettes to stay warm during those winter months? Please try not
to because they burn your internal organs to a black crisp. Cigarettes are filled with
thousands of chemicals that result in lung disease, heart palpitations, and even cancer. In
fact, cancer is the number one side effect of all forms of tobacco, according to the
Department of National Cancer Research Studies. Cigarettes harm our health, from the
inside out.
Along with internal issues, come external problems. Some people might think
smoking makes them look cool. Wrinkles, spotting, grey skin, and yellowing of the eyes
are only a few side effects of cigarette smoking. These pesky sticks give you bad lungs
and damage other organs, too. On top of that, smokers can lose a tongue, teeth, hair, even

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their yesight. Cigarettes damage physical health and distort physical appearance, aging a
person up to twenty fives years his/her actual age.
In addition to physical health problems are mental damages. Cigarettes can
completely ruin a persons body and mind. They can mess with mental health to an
extreme. Recent studies at Oxford National Institute were conducted on one hundred
people to find the differences in depression and fatigue in smokers, versus nonsmokers.
Oxford analyst, Andrew W. Bergeren recorded the following results: symptoms of
fatigue and depression were found in only nine percent of the thirty-two nonsmokers,
while a staggering sixty-eight percent of smokers all had fatigue and depression.
Cigarette smoking greatly damages mental health.
Smoking cigarettes is an unhealthy addiction with serious consequences but what
about the effects on our environment? One cigarette contains over three thousand
chemicals. The smoke kills our earths plants by damaging plants cells, making
herbivorous animals suffer the consequences. Many animals have had to move away from
their natural habitats, just to breathe a little easier. We are hurting our environment by
making innocent creatures suffer through this nasty habit.
Another way cigarettes harm the environment is through littering. Youve
probably seen hundreds of cigarette butts on the street or in the grass at your local park.
New York City Environment special Areej Hassen has discovered that cigarettes are
responsible for one third of all littered items because smokers carelessly throwing them
on ground. This hurts our environment by causing water contamination and forest fires!
Not only do cigarettes harm our natural life, but they damage our air quality, too.
Thousands of chemicals are polluting our air with every drag. Areej Hassan worked with

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Los Angeles biologists and found that cigarette smoke is responsible for thirty percent of
world pollution. Cigarettes really are responsible for the smog outside. Cigarettes are
hurting our animals, our plants, and even our water supply. Its time we take a stand for
our planet. Aside
In regards to the many arguments for illegalizing smoking, there are also
arguments against it. Tobacco industries such as Marlboro and Camel have opposes
illegalization because they make billions of dollars every year in tax revenue. Sure, its
great to have extra pocket money, but it cant be worth destroying our environment
through our air and water supply.
Another counterargument is the possible restriction of personal choice. Multiple
universities on the East Coast asked their students why smoking should be allowed.
Author Jamen Teller declared that smokers would argue government might be trying to
regulate an individuals right to freedom. However, this argument is invalid because its
not only smokers that face the consequences in the end. Second hand smoking is just as
effective in damages. Innocent people, who dont smoke, are affected by these choices,
too. The six million people that die every year from cigarette smoke are also victims. So
your personal choice is responsible for millions of deaths.
In conclusion, cigarette smoking should be illegalized because the toxins and
chemicals hurt our health and our environment. Banning cigarettes would only bring
positivity to our everyday lives. Imagine a world with less pollution. Imagine drinking
water that isnt contaminated with toxins and chemicals. Imagine a world where our
children and ourselves could safely inhale the oxygen of a stronger, healthier planet. We

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have to stand up to protect our people and our planet to prevent further consequences
from those poor choices.

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Works Cited
Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Volume 2. 25 Oct. 2015: (1-38)
Hassan, Areej. Everyday Environmental Toxins: Childrens Exposure Risks. NYC.
2015.
Pros & Cons About Smoking. Livestrong 24 Apr. 2015. 2
LiveStrong Foundation <livestrong.com>