Dear Editor,
I am a grade 8 student in Fergus Ontario, writing about the problem with not having designated smoking areas in our community. 12.6% of Canada’s population of age twelve and above smoke more than one cigarette daily. That is roughly 3.8 million people out of Canada’s population of 36.29 million. Due to this high percentage of smokers, there is roughly 37 000 deaths per year due to smoking. Obviously smoking is an important issue, but that isn’t why I’m writing this letter. My problem is when it starts affecting others in their community.
Second hand smoking causes at least 800 deaths per year, due to lung cancer and heart diseases. Those who are allergic to the cigarette smoke, like myself, are even more susceptible to these diseases. I do realize that we can not stop people from smoking as it’s a legal activity. However, I do believe we can minimize the effects of secondhand smoking by creating designated smoking areas in Fergus and other communities. By doing this we would be able to limit the amount of secondhand smoke consumed by others, and even lower the death rate.I personally am tired of having a coughing fit every time I walk past someone smoking in public. Hopefully you, the editor, and others will take this proposal into consideration.
Sincerely,
Rachel Aydinli
Rachel Aydinli