Write a paper in which you analyze several ethical dimensions of the following public health policy or law: “Smoking ban on all Public lands (campus, parks, beaches)”
It can be specific to the U.S. or to some other country, as long as you can find published research specific to the country in which the law, policy, or protocol is described and analyzed. Then, you will use that published research (such as public health journal articles, reports, reputable public health Internet sites, or other reputable sources) to determine whether you believe the law, policy, or protocol meets strong ethical standards for each of the following six dimensions:
Risk to the public’s health. Discuss the RISK associated with the particular behavior or condition that the law, policy, or protocol is designed to address. That is, why is this a public health problem? Include the extent to which the risk affects a large or small segment of a population, how severe it may be, and the probability of that risk occurring. Essentially this part is asking what is the nature of the public health problem that this law, policy, or protocol is trying to solve and/or why is this a public health problem?
Effectiveness. Discuss the potential EFFECTIVENESS of the law, policy, or protocol: What is known about the extent to which this approach is likely to actually reduce the risk (i.e. what are its benefits)? And what is the potential for harm of this approach to anyone or any group (i.e. does it create any risk of harm to anybody)?
Cost in money, time, labor power, or other resources. Discuss the COST of this particular approach: since resources for public health work are often limited (lawmakers like to cut our budgets, the public wants lower taxes, private foundations award grants for their own favored priorities, most people prefer convenience and do not like disruptions to their routines) how costly is this law, policy, or protocol when compared to the cost of doing nothing, or compared to the cost of some other way of dealing with the problem?
Human Rights. Discuss the BURDEN ON AUTONOMY or human rights of this particular law, policy, or protocol. To what extent does it infringe on personal liberties and rights, and can it be done in a way that minimizes this burden?
Justice. Discuss the JUSTICE or FAIRNESS of the law, policy, or protocol. Does it benefit the health of one group of people at the unfair expense of any other groups of people? To be genuinely ethical, it should aim to distribute the benefits (and the burdens) as universally and fairly as possible, based on both the needs and the risks of varying groups. The key question is to what extent does or might this approach infringe on one groups rights or benefits in order to meet the needs or benefit another?
Paternalism. Discuss the degree to which PATERNALISM may underlie this law, policy, or protocol. To what extent does it reflect the belief of its creators (such as state legislators, or a local board of health, or a private organization) that they know best when it comes to the health of the general public?
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