Certainly, however able the tobacco industry has been in the past to plant doubt in the minds of smokers with regard to the issue of whether the health effects of smoking were really that bad or not, the potential health risks associated with smoking are now well known. Anyone who acquired the habit today would do so knowing full well about the dangers involved, and should certainly be expected to assume full responsibility for the consequences of their own actions.

I am not so sure that the issue is as clear cut, however, with regard to those who acquired the habit as far back as the sixties and seventies. It seems from what I have read that back then, the tobacco industry gave repeated public assurances that cigarettes were not dangerous, and I could certainly imagine that there would have been some cases back then where individual smokers were indeed somewhat confused about the health implications of cigarettes as a result of this conduct.

.02

With regard to your last point, if that is indeed the case in your country (and if you say it is, then I’m sure that it is), then it would certainly appear that you have a more than reasonable cause for concern in this regard. Pouring money from tobacco firms into the general government coffers would certainly seem to create an incentive for governments to keep the industry going.

I was not previously familiar with the idea of warning labels making cigarettes more attractive. I am more familiar with the idea that notices (supplied by tobacco firms) regarding the sale of cigarettes to minors actually making cigarettes more attractive to children by promoting the habit as an ‘adult’ thing, although I am not particularly certain whether or not this is indeed the case.

Yes, I could imagine that many folks from a tobacco producing region might see things a little differently when compared to those who are not from a tobacco producing region.

“tobacco built this town and now they want to ban it”

Those type comments..

Mr. Locke would appear to be right on the money there. I believe fully in a relatively free economic system, but with freedom must come responsibility, and people and organizations who are free to compete within the modern marketplace surely have some form of moral and ethical obligations which accompany that freedom of choice.

Unfortunately, as you say, profit considerations clearly over-rode ethical considerations within the tobacco industry with regard to truthfulness about claims regarding the health impact of their merchandise.

Andrews last blog post..Why I empathize with tobacco litigants

Brad Shorrs last blog post..A PC Guy Goes to the Apple Store

First of all, congratulations on being free of cigarettes for twenty years – no doubt a very significant achievement on your part.

With the exception of minors, I too respect people’s right to smoke. Adults of proper legal age should have every right to make their own assessment with regard to the risks associated with smoking and then make their own decision as to whether or not they wish to smoke in spite of such risks.

I am curious – given that you live in an area where there is a lot of tobacco production, do you think that attitudes with regard to these types of debates tend to be different in your region than in regions where tobacco production does not represent such a big industry?

I too, fully respect people’s decision to smoke, provided we are referring to adults of proper legal age.

Andrews last blog post..Why I empathize with tobacco litigants

I smoked for probably 12 years or so and haven’t smoked in over 20 years.. I’m glad I stopped! I respect peoples decision to smoke, but I don’t really enjoy being around it.

But, the tobacco industry was and still is huge and I think they knew exactly what they were doing when the didn’t tell the public the harm in tobacco. Yet I’ve heard the arguments that the research wasn’t available during those “early” years.. I say BOLOGNA haha

Jakes last blog post..Our New Favorite Winery! Round Peak Vineyards!