We decided to place our “This is Public Health” sticker at Sweetbay supermarket near University Mall in Tampa. We chose this location because it is an area where many different people visit, either shopping at Sweetbay itself, or visiting the nearby stores. We placed our sticker on a newly designed public ashtray that has a hollow vase-like shape. We chose this item because many walk by Sweetbay, both smokers and non-smokers. As a result, ashtrays are a public necessity to keep the streets and sidewalks clean.
We believe that this newer-modeled public ashtray represents multiple public health-related issues: promoting cleaner air, taking responsibility for second-hand smoke, demonstrating action again littering, and cutting back on resource use. The truth is, Americans have a right to make their own choices, so we cannot argue with or punish people that choose to smoke. However, when it comes to the matter of public health, we need to find an option that will benefit the population, while avoiding restrictions of individual freedoms. This ashtray does not promote nor inhibit smoking; it simply has a unique design that prevents a person’s cigarette fumes from spreading in the air after it has been tossed in. This innovation lessens second-hand smoke as well as cuts back the amount of pollution in our communiites and waterways. In addition, the ashtray itself gives smokers the easy task of safely and quickly discarding their cigarettes, while at the same time reducing the amount of careless littering which could become a fire hazard. For example, if a cigarette butt was still ignited, tossed aside and wind-blown near bushes, the bushes could catch fire. Even further, this style ashtray also saves resources; little rocks or sand are not needed. Consequently, cleaning becomes more efficient and effortless.
Besides all these benefits, this ashtray is aesthetically appealing, showing us just how beautiful public health can be!
Agreed!
ReplyDeleteI was really glad when these were put around town, because smokers always use the lack of places to put their cigarette butts as an excuse for throwing them anywhere. I saw a guy flick his lit cigarette out of his car in traffic last night, and I cringed. Not only is it littering, but it could possibly start a fire. Selfishness at its worst. Now, if we could only get smokers to stop smoking in front of entrances and exits to buildings...
ReplyDeleteI really like this representation of Public Health. Although, smoking is a representation of the opposite of Public Health, this ash tray encourages people who do smoke to dispose of their cigarette butts in an ash tray instead of littering. This is definitely an environmental public health issue. People should be more self conscience of where they dispose of their trash. Lack of ash trays such as these, could negatively effect our environment and the health of people in our community. Therefore, ash trays like these should be displayed as often as possible to avoid health hazards
ReplyDeleteGreat Presentation on this as public health. Smoking is already bad enough to cause health issue to the user and other around them. Some smokers not always throw their cigarette butts in a designated place because there is not much ash trays place available for smokers. Therefore, by throwing cigarette butts become littering and that could also cause environmental issues. I think that ash trays should be available at all business, local agencies, and public place. I have witness this at my work place where most employee were smokers and the business does not provide any kind of ash trays; therefore, they when to the back to smoke and throw the cigarette butts on the ground of the business, so it was all over the place and there is no one to clean that up. This is definitely a public health issue.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example ana aspect of public health, 2nd hand smoking is a great danger that can affect many people, and create adverse complications. This ash tray is a great idea because it reminds people who do smoke to dispose of the cigarette correctly. This ash tray is unique, i have never seen one that is designed like this before. Usually the ash trays that i see are the regular circular ones that have some type of sand in it. This tray is very creative, and hopefully people can utilize this ash tray so the community can benefit from this. This is a great example of an aspect of public health
ReplyDeleteI thought this was an excellent representation of what Public Health is all about. Smoking in general obviously is a terrible thing for someone, however even more is the damage done to others by 2nd hand smoke. Not to mention the added pollution when the smoker cannot find an ash tray at the moment so they just throw the cigarette on the floor afterward. I have seen this type of ash tray available to the public before and i think they are awesome. I feel that if they were available in more public places they would be a great initial step toward creating better public health. Great choice guys!!!
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