Tobacco and the Children
The last article generated a great response so I want to continue along the same general topic: whether or not the government should be charged with protecting the people from themselves, specifically pertaining to the recent tobacco legislation signed into law. The legislation places heavy restrictions on tobacco marketing, primarily to thwart the youth of America from becoming smokers, but also to raise general awareness about the hazards of smoking.
While in the past the tobacco lobby was a definitive wall against such legislation, this time around Philip Morris USA, the nation’s largest tobacco company, turned the tables and seemingly supported the legislation outright. This drew heavy criticism from other cigarette makers with lesser market share that said this new legislation would hinder them from winning a greater portion of the consumer base. Honestly, I have to hand it to Philip Morris…they saw an opportunity and took it. Who needs marketing anyway when you already have the customer addicted to your product? But I digress…
The question is: Does the government really think that covering 50% of a cigerette package with warning labels will deter people from smoking? The health hazards of tobacco are quite well known among the American public. We know that nicotine is addictive, so if you get into the habit, it will be very hard to stop. We know that smoking often leads to cancer, and ultimately reduces one’s life expectancy. I don’t think it’s the label on a package of cigarettes that entices the buyer. The product is what people want (and in a lot of cases, need). I don’t see tobacco sales drastically declining due to this legislation, just for that reason. If the government wants to continue to protect its people from the harmful habit of smoking, they should expect a long term, generational fight; one that should base itself on a new way of thinking rather than reactionary deterrents to the industry.
The most effective thing that the American people (government included) can do to curb the habit of smoking is to educate the youth of the nation. This already happens to a certain extent, but obviously our country (among many others) still has an issue with underage smokers. Banning the sale of candy-flavored cigarettes is a lame solution. A better idea would incentivize good parenting practices; for instance, a program that would give a tax-break to parents that kept their kids from smoking for a set amount of time. Truthfully, I’m against anything like this idea or the new laws since I don’t believe parenting or the tobacco market are any of the government’s business. But if the government’s going to intrude anyway they should address the root of problem (lack of attention when parenting) and not punish tobacco companies for diversifying their product line by reducing their marketing capability.
June 24th, 2009 at 14:52
Agreed that it is not the government job to legislate morality over vices. But the same argument can be made for laws that restrict gambling, pot, alcohol, porn, etc. These “vice laws” are rarely effective.
I do, however, firmly believe that if you smoke and get lung cancer when you’re 70, you should not receive any government assistance to pay for your related medical bills. If you’re not willing to take care of yourself, then the government shouldn’t have to do it for you. The same argument can be made for obesity which is a bigger killer than smoking is anyway. Sorry for your 3rd heart attack, maybe you should stop eating cheese for dinner.
June 24th, 2009 at 15:44
if anything is going to stop someone from smoking its not the government warnings on the labels…its the $3 tax hike per pack that apparently is going to health care for kids….sure it is *rolls eyes*