Do You Agree with New York's Ban on Smoking in Bars and Restaurants?

TUI UNIVERSITY

Module 5 Case Assignment

ETH 301: Business Ethics

Professor: Dr. Paul Frankenhauser

25 April 2011

Do you agree with New York’s ban on smoking in bars and restaurants?

Four years ago, New York passed a smoking ban in restaurants and bars. This legislation caused a great deal of response, both for and against the measure. Health organizations and non-smokers alike were praising the decision for its responsibility to non-smokers who wish to attend restaurants where smoking does occur. The smoking ban serves as a message to smokers that their habits and behaviors are extremely detrimental to their health; a message that despite its rapidity in the news, did have some affect of smokers. There are cases to be made both for and against the smoking ban but with thousands of people dying from second hand smoke, it seems to be a case of national safety that smoking be banned in public places. There is no excuse for anybody to plead ignorance on whether or not smoking is harmful to not only the smoker but everyone who is around him. Thus, there is even more reason why this smoking ban is essential and needs to remain as law. The main rationale for smoking bans is to protect workers and citizens from heart disease, cancer and respiratory illnesses and other chronic and acute diseases caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. Additional bases for smoking bans are reduced risk of fire. For instance, places with explosive hazards or where flammable materials are handled or cleanliness in places where food or pharmaceuticals are produced, decreased legal liability and potentially reduced energy use. Smoke free workplace laws aim primarily at reducing preventable deaths, diseases and disabilities caused by passive smoking. In addition, such laws may reduce health care costs, improve worker productivity and lower the overall cost of labor in a community, thus making a community more attractive for bringing new jobs into the area and keeping current...