How to write an argumentative essay related to the problem of smoking population

Writing an argumentative essay can be quite challenging yet gratifying, especially when dealing with such important sociological issues as smoking. A certain argument should be clearly presented, evidence-based, and convincing enough to make readers consider a certain stance. Smoking, as a global health problem, allows writers to develop their ideas from many different aspects. Now, let us discuss exactly how to write an engaging argumentative essay on the topic of smoking, with detailed examples showing you how to complete each step.

Understanding the smoking argumentative essay

In a smoking argumentative essay, your whole purpose is to convince the reader about your point with the help of logic, reasoning, and evidence

When it comes to smoking, for an argumentative essay, you need to take a direct stand. Would you want to argue that smoking should be banned in public places? Or perhaps that tobacco companies need to be put under more strict regulations? Your thesis statement should clearly define your stand.

One might say, "Smoking in public should not be allowed because it is dangerous to the health of those around, fosters a bad habit, and brings financial burden through healthcare treatments." This kind of thesis presents an argument, and you are required to develop or support it with facts and logical reasoning.

In writing your essay, besides writing about your argument, you also have to consider counterarguments. Not everyone is going to have the same view as you, and showing that the opposing view has some merit actually strengthens your argument. You might write, "While some believe that banning smoking in public places is a violation of personal rights, the right to breathe clean air and be healthy supersedes the right to smoke.

Organizing your essay

The general outline for an argumentative essay consists of an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. In this outline, there is the need to be livelier and more flowing. Let's get into the details of each section:

Introduction

The introduction must catch the reader's attention already and explicitly state your argument. You could use either a fact, a question, or even an anecdote to draw them in. Example:

"Imagine that you are walking in a park with your child and someone blows a cloud of cigarette smoke right in your face. Now imagine this happening every day, wherever you go in public. Smoking is much, much more than a personal choice; it's a public health problem affecting millions of people."

Body paragraphs

Every body paragraph should explain one reason that underscores the argument in the thesis statement. Evidence, such as statistics, studies, or actual cases, should be used to support each point.

First argument: It injures non-smokers.

The first point of your argument could be the real dangers that secondhand smoke presents. You can mention studies that prove even short-term exposure to cigarette smoke has adverse effects on people who do not smoke, even children. For instance,

"Secondhand smoke exposure accounts for 41,000 deaths annually among nonsmokers, according to the CDC. These individuals never decided to smoke and yet were subjected to inhaling deadly fumes in smoking sections of restaurants or bars."

Please continue to explain how this ban can prevent such tragedies from happening due to smoking in all public places, helping the nonsmoker while, as an added positive effect, probably helping the smoker to reconsider his or her habit when much less opportunity to engage in smoking would be available to them.

Second argument: Economic consequences of smoking

Another solid supporting argument for smoking is its economic consequence. You can present how tobacco consumption raises health care expenditure both on personal and state levels. For example:

"Smoking-related illnesses alone cost more than $300 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity in the United States. A ban on smoking in public will contribute to reducing these costs by forcing smokers to quit the habit and preventing tobacco-related diseases among nonsmokers."

This section might also refer to the usually overlooked economic burden smokers impose on the public health system. Not only would banning smoking in public places clean the air and improve public health, but it could save money that would otherwise be taken from the taxpayer's pocket.

Third argument: How public smoking contributes to normalizing tobacco consumption

Public smoking normalizes the habit and may make it appear less injurious, especially to youth. This is a valid argument since it approaches the smoking issue on a social level. Example:

"Young people are peculiarly vulnerable to the influence of smoking in public spaces. When they see adults smoking freely, it sends a message that the behavior is socially acceptable, even desirable. Studies show that adolescents who frequently witness smoking in public are more likely to pick up the habit themselves."

This would allow one to argue on behalf of future generations and would bring forth the point that the less the public is exposed to smoking, the less the prevalence will be in the future.

Addressing counterarguments

A well-argumentative essay would also weigh opposing views. In this case, one of the most striking counterarguments would probably arise against the ban on smoking, on the basis that such an action directly violates personal freedom. You should be able to acknowledge such a complaint but refute it by showing where the right to clean air and public health outweighs the right to smoke.

"For those who say that banning smoking in public places simply infringes on a person's right to liberty, personal liberty should not take precedence over healthy exposure to another. Indeed, the right to clean air, part of basic public health policy, is akin to seatbelt laws and drunk driving regulations for the protection of society. Again, one's rights do not trump all."

Conclusion: A call for public health protection

Your conclusion needs to summarize your main points and then powerfully reiterate your thesis. You can make an emotional appeal to the reader in this section or reiterate the gravity of the issue with one final strong thought.

"Smoking is not a question of personal freedom; it is a public health issue that concerns all of us. The ban on smoking in public places does not only represent a protection measure for nonsmokers but also a method of reducing this practice in general and, as a consequence, economizing on treatment costs for improving everyone's quality of life."

You may want to include a call to action, encouraging the reader to think about how he or she can help promote public health initiatives. Or take a moment to reflect on his or her views about smoking in public places.

Why focus on smoking?

Although there is widespread awareness of the dangers, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the world. According to the World Health Organization, over 8 million people lose their lives due to smoking, including more than 1 million deaths due to exposure to secondhand smoke. Numbers like these explain why it would be a problem worth addressing in an argumentative essay.

When writing about smoking, one needs to be as specific as possible and try to make some impact. You need to convey a sense of urgency without being too dramatic. A good introduction to this type of essay might set the tone, introduce the topic, and give the reader a clear idea of what you are going to present in your argument. Do not forget to use an astonishing statistic or a question that provokes attention, like, for instance, "Is smoking a personal choice when the effects harm the smoker and everybody around him?

Conclusion

An argumentative essay on smoking requires one to do more than provide their own opinion. What is called for here is an argument—reasonably supported by evidence—that challenges a reader to think about the greater good society as a whole experiences due to smoking. For instance, you may use examples like dangers associated with secondhand smoke, economic costs attributed to smoking, and the normalization of tobacco use in writing your persuasive essay. It is done not only to inform your readers but also to encourage them to action.