Professor Vincent English Composition 3D 20 April 2021 Should Smoking be Allowed in Public Housing? ‘Those suffering from addiction need public housing the most. However, what happens ‘when this addiction starts t0 impact the other residents? Should the government be allowed to deny public housing to those who smoke? This was a topic being discussed in the New York Times Room for Debate opinion pages. Tony Marcano, current managing editor at KPCC and LAist, argued that the government shouldn't be allowed to regulate who ean smoke in private homes even in public housing. He encourages the goverment to disincentivize people from smoking but draws the lin at involuntary restrictions. On the other hand, some see the health of other tenants within public housing as paramount such as Ritchie Torres, a representative for New York’s 15th congressional district. Despite his initial misgivings of the importance of regulating smoking in public housing, he concedes that smoking has severe health effects and the ban would help improve people's lives. Both of these stances miss out on the biggest issue secondhand smoke. By allowing smoking in public housing those who aren't even smokers are subjected to an inereased risk of lung cancer and other health conditions. When we consider the overall wellbeing of all residents living in public housing the ban has validity. A ban on indoor smoking in public housing would be a net benefit to all inhabiting public housing, ‘Smoking is extremely harmful and the government has an active duty to encourage people to quit. As Torres cited, “third of al cancer deaths are related to tobacco” and tobai‘causes 12000 deaths per year in New York City, The CDC supports this saying that 16 million people have discases caused by tobacco and causes 7 million deaths a year worldwide. It’s lear that by being passive in regulating smoking and tobacco the government is partially responsible for these deaths and health conditions. I've seen the harmful effects of tobacco first hand. My grandfather was a chronic smoker who smoked multiple packs a day, resulting in multiple health condit ms and eventually a stroke. After truly realizing the harm of smoking he was finally able {0 quit. If he hadn’t, [don’t think he would still be here today. Many others have had similar stories of loved ones whose lives were ruined by smoking or even passed away from it, Smoking should be actively discouraged by the government to save lives. ‘Secondhand smoke indoors is extremely harmful, especially to those who live in public housing, People living in public housing tend to have more health issues and very limited access tw healthcare. This compounded with being exposed to long-term secondhand smoke can be very damaging to their health. This would force those who need public housing to make a difficult, decision: Be homeless or face the risks of secondhand smoke, Most people would probably go ‘with the latter, but this subjects nonsmokers to issues like an increased risk of lung cancer in which they have no control over. This just simply isn’t fair and the tobacco addiction of a few shouldn’t result in the direct determinant of the health of those in need. 1 know from personal experience how harmful secondhand smoke is. AS a child, I suffered from asthma and when visiting cities such as Las Vegas with smokers on the street I alee ly found my lungs extremely irritated. 1 couldn’t imagine having to live with chronic smokers in the same housing unit.The consequences of smoking hurt both the smoker and the people around them. Those in need of public housing shouldn't have to make the decision between their health or homelessness, ‘When an action an individual takes hurts more than just themself, it is the government's responsibility to step in. Furthermore, it is everyone's duty to help those who smoke. Educate them on the risks and help them quit, Addictions are never easy to confront, but with the help of family and friends, it can be a litle easier. butps://[Link]/2016/ from-smoking hupss//www cde. sovitobacco/data_statistievfact_sheets/fast_facts/index JimDescriptive Outline Proposition: A ban on indoor smoking in public housing would be a net benefit to all inhabiting public housing, Plan: To support the proposition by summarizing the two main positions on the issue. Paragraph 1 ‘Says: The public housing ban on smoking is valid and it would benefit the inhabitants Does: The paragraph first introduces the reader to the question up for debate and then introduces both sides. Then the author introduces his own opinion and states the proposition. Paragraph 2 Says: Smoking is dangerous and leads to adverse health effects for the smoker. Thus. the government should discourage smoking to improv. Does: The paragraph first introduces the opie sentence that the government should regulate people to quit smoking since itis dangerous. Then the paragraph cites statistics in Torres’ ‘opinion piece and stats from the CDC to support this claim. Then the author uses a personal anecdote to further support the claim, Paragraph 3 Says: Smoking is also dangerous to those living with the smoker.Does: The paragraph first introduces the claim that secondhand smoke is dangerous, It then argues that it is unfair for nonsmoking public housing residents to live with a smoker. Finally the author uses a personal anecdote to support the claim and finish the paragraph. Paragraph 4 Says: Its both the government and our duty to combat smoking, Does: The paragraph first reiterates the dangers of smoking and why the government should step in. Then it reaches out to the reader to encourage smokers to quit.