Shimp v. New Jersey Bell Telephone Company - Smoking Banned In Public Places

Cigarette smoking can be hazardous to one's health, but breathing the smoke of others can also be dangerous. At least two percent of lung cancer deaths are believed to be caused by passive smoking. Additionally, exposure to second-hand smoke can result in an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, and perilous levels of carbon monoxide in the blood.

Second-hand smoke is even more harmful to babies and children. Babies with parents that smoke are treated at hospitals twice as often for illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Opponents of public smoking bans claim the health hazards to non-smokers are not nearly as conclusive as believed. For example, nearly 80% of the studies of lung cancer among non-smokers married to smokers do not demonstrate, through statistically significant information, that they are at greater risk. The arguments for banning smoking in the work place usually rely on the health risk to non-smokers. Yet in research of environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace, more than 85% do not show a statistically significant increase in the danger of lung cancer to non-smokers.