The issue of whether or not the United States should pass a nationwide ban on indoor smoking is one that has managed to elicit a lot of debate. On the one hand, some support this move. Their stand is based on the obvious health risks that smoking in general, and indoor smoking in particular, poses to both smokers and non-smokers. On the other hand, some seem to think that an indoor smoking ban is a violation of their rights. Thus, such a move will directly be interfering with their rights and freedoms (Hyland et al, 2009).
A study conducted on this issue should be able to reveal the general population’s views on the issue of indoor smoking, including the number of people who support the ban on indoor smoking, and those who are opposed to it. To analyze the general public view on this issue, there should be appropriate sample research involving approximately 100,000 adult citizens that should be selected and asked several questions, regarding their stand on indoor smoking (Gerlach et al, 1997). Gerlach et al (1997) note that this sample should be demographically balanced. All segments of the population should be represented, including the smokers themselves.
The use of a questionnaire as a research tool should be appropriate for this study. The respondents will be asked questions that directly touch this issue. To simplify the tallying process, the questionnaires should employ the use of closed format questions, where the respondents are offered multiple choices to pick their answers from. The question should seek to establish the people’s views on indoor smoking, including their appreciation and understanding of the health risks posed to smokers and non-smokers. Also, a question that expressly seeks to establish the respondents’ stand on the ban on indoor smoking should be included.
The respondents will be directly asked whether or not they support the ban on indoor smoking. Thereafter, an appropriate tallying method should be used to reveal the final results. A corresponding discussion on the issue should follow. According to Mulcahy et al (2005), most studies conducted on the issue of indoor smoking reveal that most people support such a move. Moreover, these studies also reveal that most people, including the smokers themselves, actually understand and appreciate the health risks that indoor smoking poses on smokers and the people around them.
Mulcahy et al (2005) point out that this revelation can, perhaps, be attributed to the addictive property of nicotine (the main chemical agent contained in tobacco). Despite the obvious risks associated with nicotine intake, most people who have already developed this habit continue smoking. by its force.
The use of questionnaires has been chosen as an appropriate method for conducting the study due to some of the inherent advantages associated with this method. First and foremost, questionnaires enable the researchers to determine the direction that the study should take and guide the respondents accordingly. Secondly, the use of closed format questions in the questionnaires is important for simplifying the tallying process and consequently facilitating faster delivery of the results. However, the use of close format questions also has a disadvantage; the respondents are limited to only the choices available in the multiple choices provided.
References
Gerlach, K., Shopland, D., Hartman, A., Gibson, J., & Pechacek, T. (1997). Workplace smoking policies in the United States: results from a national survey of more than 100,000 workers. Tobacco Control, 6(3), 199-206.
Hyland, A., Hassan, L., Higbee, C., Boudreau, C., Fong, G., Borland, R., &… Hastings, G. (2009). The impact of smoke-free legislation in Scotland: results from the Scottish ITC: Scotland/UK longitudinal surveys. European Journal Of Public Health, 19(2), 198-205. Web.
Mulcahy, M., Evans, D., Hammond, S., Repace, J., & Byrne, M. (2005). Secondhand smoke exposure and risk following the Irish smoking ban: an assessment of salivary cotinine concentrations in hotel workers and air nicotine levels in bars. Tobacco Control, 14(6), 384-388.