Final answer:
Second-hand smoke causes significant harm to non-smokers, containing thousands of harmful substances, including carcinogens. It justifies public health measures, leading to global bans on smoking in enclosed public spaces to protect people, especially vulnerable groups like children.
Step-by-step explanation:
Exposure to second-hand smoke has been proven to cause severe health issues in non-smokers. The smoke that non-smokers inhale while around smokers contains over 7,000 harmful chemicals, including at least 250 that damage human health and is particularly carcinogenic. Due to its toxic nature, second-hand smoke causes harm to others, increasing the risk of lung cancer by 30% in non-smokers who reside with smokers, compared to those not regularly exposed. Children exposed to it are at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, and worsened asthma symptoms.
Measures such as 'no smoking' sections, advanced air cleaning, or ventilation improvements do not completely eliminate the risks associated with second-hand smoke. Hence, the argument that it should be banned from places where public has access to is based on the need to protect public health, particularly in indoor settings. Regulations have been introduced globally to curb this health hazard by banning smoking in enclosed public spaces and even in private spaces like vehicles when children are present.