Right to protection from active and passive smoking

Tobacco smoking is dangerous to your respiratory system. It can lead to serious illnesses such as lung cancer which in majority of the cases is incurable. Tobacco smoking can be done in two ways. The first way is through active smoking which is done by someone who is holding a cigarette. Another way is passive smoking. This is when a person who is standing close to a smoker inhales the tobacco smoke. In order to protect children from active and passive smoking, article 9 of lawn° 08/2013 of 01/03/2013 relating to the control of tobacco prevents selling tobacco and tobacco products such as cigarettes near places where children can be found. Such places include schools, and sports and leisure grounds. Article 10 of law n° 08/2013 of 01/03/2013 relating to the control of tobacco prohibits involving a child in the business of tobacco and tobacco products. It says, “It is prohibited to involve a person under eighteen (18) in, buying, selling and exchanging of tobacco and tobacco products.” This is because when someone is selling a product, they are likely to use it. Some parents are fond of sending their children to buy cigarettes but it is illegal to do that, and shopkeepers should not sell cigarettes to children either. In order to prevent passive smoking, article 11 of law n° 08/2013 of 01/03/2013 relating to the control of tobacco says, “No person shall smoke in public, workplace or in any part of a public place.” A long list of public places where smoking is not allowed is then provided. Such places include premises meant for work, in a court or its surrounding, a cinema hall, theatre and video houses. Smoking is also not allowed in hospitals, clinics and other facilities, which makes sense because already people who go to hospital are unwell. It wouldn’t make sense to put their health at further risk. Smokers also can’t smoke in restaurants, hotels and bars. Neither can they smoke in children’s homes, residential areas or any place which is used for childcare or schooling. Places of worship are out of bounds too, not just because of the bad health effects of smoking but because it would be disrespectful. Prisons, police stations and cells are mentioned as places that are out of bounds for smokers. So are aircrafts, passenger ships, commuter boats, trains, passenger vehicles, ferries and any other transport means for persons and goods. The stops, ports, stations, and terminals of the different means of transport are non-smoking areas too. Article 11 of law n° 08/2013 of 01/03/2013 relating to the control of tobacco also prohibits smoking in indoor markets, shopping malls and retail and wholesale establishments. In a nutshell, active smokers are expected to indulge in the habit only in places where they can’t put other people’s health at risk. While tobacco smoking is mostly associated with long-term illnesses such as lung cancer and heart diseases, in the short run it can affect your physical fitness because it affects your lung performance capacity. This can really affect your ability to enjoy fun activities with your friends. Therefore, do not smoke, and do not go silent if someone is risking your health by smoking while they are seated or standing close to you.

Education

Right to protection from active and passive smoking