Answer
to Task 1: Dividing the arguments into "For" and "Against"
Setting aside rooms for smokers does not mean
that the harmful effects of smoking are limited to
smokers alone (Rugby, 1989).
Banning smoking in all public places is another
example of the way the government uses health and
safety issues as a cover for introducing
increasingly tight over people's lives
Most public buildings are air conditioned and
this means that any harmful tobacco smoke that is
produced in one room will spread to other rooms
through the air conditioning system.
Because we rightfully have a universal health
insurance system in this country, the costs of
treating tobacco-related illnesses are shared by
all the community, smokers and non-smokers
alike.
These illnesses create a terrible and expensive
burden on our health system.
Forbidding smokers from pursuing their habit in
public places is an infringement of their
democratic rights and is discriminatory (Jane
Black, the spokesperson for Smokers for a
Democratic Society, The Age 18.6.93). .
Public buildings are places where all members of
the community should have equal access.
They increase the overall cost of medical
services and use up scarce medical resources.
People should be free to do what they like so
long as it does not harm other citizens.