Tobacco smoking has long been an accepted form of recreational drug use despite a history of reversing public opinion. The negative effects of smoking were not thought of or known until the early 1900s. (“Introduction to Smoking”) Recent decades have seen an ever-increasing trend in the United States and around the world to ban smoking in places public. The goals of these smoking bans are to prevent the many diseases and health complications produced by exposure to toxic smoke and to improve the overall health of society. Some disagree with these rationales arguing that smoking bans have not actually saved lives or stopped people from picking up the habit. In contrast, global research now actually shows that tobacco smoking kills people both directly and indirectly; indirectly, of course, by referring to passive smoking. Another argument against these smoking bans is that many people feel as if they are violating their individual rights. These people believe they have the right to smoke tobacco wherever they choose; not unlike many people who also believe they have the right to avoid forced exposure to deadly secondhand smoke. You might wonder which of the two takes precedence. Another very important thing to consider is that although these smoking bans may appear to have good intentions, if imposed and maintained they present society with a difficult scenario; they threaten to set a precedent for the restriction of other freedoms that humanity may take for granted. Smoking bans may be justifiable but, like many other important moral dilemmas, it may take centuries if not millennia to satisfactorily answer the questions raised by the issue. Tobacco use first appeared early... middle of paper... ...June 4, 2011."Edmonton considers expanding outdoor smoking ban." Canadian Broadcasting Corporation [CBC] June 13, 2011. Gale Opposing views in context. Network. June 24, 2011.Kaufman, Stephen. “Most Americans believe smoking should be banned in public places.” Tobacco and smoking. Ed. Karen F. Balkin. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2009. Opposing Viewpoints. Gale Opposing views in context. Network. June 24, 2011."Update: Smoking ban." Issues and controversies on file: n. page Problems and controversies. Facts On File News Services, March 23, 2007. Web. June 24, 2011. Herman, Patricia, M., and Michele, E. Walsh. “Hospitalizations for Acute Myocardial Infarction, Angina, Stroke, and Asthma After Implementation of Arizona Statewide Comprehensive Smoking Ban.” American Journal of Public Health 101.3 (2011): 491-496. CINAHL Plus with full text. EBSCO. Network. June 24 2011.