Clearing the Smoke: Proposals for a Smoke-Free Greater Manchester
The Science of Smoking
The Regional Director of Public Health, Professor John Ashton, announced; ??We are in the grip of a smoking epidemic, with an estimated 14, 500 people in the North West region dying needlessly each year because of smoking.??
The shocking facts:
?? Greater Manchester has the highest death rate by smoking in England
as well as the worst quitting rate.
?? Smoking kills approximately 14 people everyday in the North West
alone.
??Quit smoking?? advertisements cover billboards, television screens and even the cigarette packages themselves! Captions warn of the effects of smoking on yourself, others and unborn children. How can those little white sticks cause cancers, breathing difficulties, yellow teeth/fingers, bad breath and other smoking-related illnesses? Let??s look at the science behind smoking:
Do you know what cigarettes contain? The next time you reach for a packet of fags, read the packet. You??ll notice a list of ingredients which includes Carbon Monoxide, Acetone, Benzene, Butane and Hydrogen Cyanide. For some people, these words mean very little and just belong in the realm of the science classroom. Let's see what people are inhaling into the realm of themselves.
Nicotine
Nicotine seems to be a word that is used regularly but is rarely understood. Nicotine is used as a pesticide i.e. it is used to kill off insects, animals and mammals which are deemed ??pests??. Humans are mammals. Nicotine will kill you too!
Carbon Monoxide and Benzene
Carbon Monoxide and Benzene are chemical products found in exhaust fumes! Global warming experts warn against the dangers that carbon monoxide can have on the ozone layer so can you imagine what it is doing to your lungs?
Acetone
Acetone is the stuff you use to remove nail polish. If the chemical can be used to remove nail polish, can you imagine what it does to your insides?
Butane and Methanol
Butane is a highly flammable substance that is used as lighter fuel. Similarly, Methanol is used in aviation to fuel rockets!
Hydrogen Cyanide and Radon
It is a fact that Hydrogen Cyanide is a deadly gas that has killed and continues to kill millions of humans each year. This gas was used in the gas chambers during the Holocaust. Similarly, Radon is a radioactive gas.
Tar
Tar is a thick black substance that is used to surface roads.
Ammonia
Ammonia is found in cleaning products such as bleach. Such products are deemed dangerous to health.
How can we give up? Greater Manchester plans to follow Scotland??s, Ireland??s and New York??s examples in stubbing out the habit with bans on smoking in public places such as pubs, bars and restaurants, or uphold licensing conditions such as proper ventilation systems. Pizza Hut has led the way and now Manchester Arndale Centre??s Foodchain restaurant complex has become a cigarette-free zone. Smoking is prohibited on the malls at the Arndale and the Trafford Centre.
Submitted by: Shelley Deasey, SETPOINT Greater Manchester, 15 August 2005
