The Ban on Smoking in Public Places

Smoking ban in public places has been a hot issue these last months not only in Malta but also in various countries who are discussing the effects a ban would have. There have been several debates on smoking ban. Even though the harmful effects of smoking, both active and passive, are well known and undeniable smoking is far from being in decline; it is spreading among young people in particular quickly.

Most controversial debate is going on public smoking ban. The reason is simple, smoking ban affects directly all people rapidly and we can see its effects in a short-term period. There have been a lot of arguments brought up both in favour and against a public smoking ban. Some of the arguments in favour are the following. Smoking ban is one of the controversial ways for reducing smoking and recognizing non-smokers right to health protection. The health risks of smoking are clear. Passive smoking does carry risks. Many leading medical and scientific organizations recognize second hand smoke as a cause of a range of life-threatening conditions. The health situation could be drastically improved if one of the risk factors - tobacco - was eliminated. People have a right to protect themselves from smoke inhalation. People shouldnt have to inhale the ill-effects of other peoples smoking. The creation of smoke-free public places also improves air quality.

Those opposing a smoking ban say that freedom of choice would be affected by such legislation. Some people against a ban say that smoking bans damage business. A smoking ban could lead to a significant fall in earnings from bars, restaurants and casinos. Another argument is that the smoker has a basic human right to smoke in public places, and the ban is a limitation for smokers rights. Businesses, smokers, publicans, tobacco industries, stars, and some of the non smokers oppose public smoking ban. Smokers light a cigarette because they need to smoke, not because they want it, because nicotine is physically addictive. Therefore, some smokers think that the public smoking ban is oppressiveness. They see the ban as a treatment to smokers as second-class citizens. Smokers agree that the smoking ban benefits the world, but cannot support the ban, because effects of nicotine obstruct them.

Public smoking ban needs to be measured and understood better. Smokers should not be made to look like outcasts, but smokers should respect non-smokers when sharing places. I agree that completely smoke-free places are the ideal, and some businesses have taken the decision to go completely smoke-free. However, everyone agrees that, it is a matter of rights - the right of smokers to smoke versus non-smokers to protect from passive smoking and to breathe clean air.

Should Marijuana be a Medical Option?

In 1972, the US Congress placed marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act because they considered it to have no accepted medical use. Since then, 16 of 50 US states and DC have legalized the medical use of marijuana. Proponents of medical marijuana argue that it can be a safe and effective treatment for the symptoms of cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, pain, glaucoma, epilepsy, and other conditions. They cite dozens of peer-reviewed studies, prominent medical organizations, major government reports, and the use of marijuana as medicine throughout world history. Opponents of medical marijuana argue that it is too dangerous to use, lacks FDAapproval, and that various legal drugs make marijuana use unnecessary. They say marijuana is addictive, leads to harder drug use, interferes with fertility, impairs driving ability, and injures the lungs, immune system, and brain. They say that medical marijuana is a front for drug legalization and recreational use.

Fast Food
Fast food (also known as junk food) is the term for a kind of food that people eat from a restaurant where food is prepared and served quickly. There is many kinds of fast food that we can find it easily such as hamburger, French fries, instant noodle, etc. Fast food is nowadays become a popular food because its quick, convenient, and inexpensive. We can get fast food everywhere in 24 hour restaurant or probably in common store. What can make fast food has a cheap price? It because fast food made of cheap ingredients such as high fat meat, refined grains, and added sugar and fats. People who has a lot of works and very busy usually eat fast food to fulfill their necessity about food without thinking further about the nutrition. They just fill their body up with such kind of fast foods. Inspite of its controversial issues, there is still many peoples who consume fast food. They think that fast food is more practical for their busy life. They also can find this kind of food everywhere. It is much easier to prepare fast food or order it from a fast food restaurant than to prepare and cook food because fast food is more fast and simple. We can also get this kind of food with a cheap price. Besides that, people also thinks that fast food has a good taste. However, fast food has a negative effect if consumed over. Many peoples belive that fast food can make a lack of nutrition need by our body. It is also unhealthy because most of fast food always contains dangerous additive substrate that can disturb our health. The additive substrate such as MSG (monosodium glutamate) has known can effect serious illness like cancer and so on. Fast food also considered to be junk food. No food is good for you if you don't balance out your diet and eat a variety of food. Fast food also increases cholesterol and should be avoided if you suffer with high blood pressure of cholesterol problems. As a result of this pro and cons about fast food, the people should care about what they consume. Even if they consume junk food, they must know how much the save standardization to consume fast food and also balance it with eating healthy food so that the negative effect of fast food can be minimalized. But its wisely to choose consuming healthy food than fast food.

Miss Universe Competition

Sending an Indonesia woman to participate in the world beauty pageant always gives rise to controversy. But several times Yayasan Putri Indonesia insist on sending Putri Indonesia (Artika Sari Devi and Nadine Candrawinata) to Miss Universe Competition. Some people consider that this competition is not in line with Indonesian culture. What most Indonesian people are concerned about is the fact that in the competition there is a sesion called the swimsuit contest. Each contestant is requaried to wear a swimsuit and a walk through catwalk. This thing is still extremely unacceptable in Indonesian Culture. On the contrary, others claim that looking beyond the commercial aspect of the event. Miss Universe processes the righteous mission of opening the eyes of others to the problem in the world. What Yayasa Putri Indonesia doing should be appreciated as a step forward putting Indonesia on the International stage in positive manner instead of for terrorism and corruption. Ibellive that taking part in Miss Universe Contest for Indonesia woman still not the right time.