Tobacco : An Ethical Issue

Tobacco: An Ethical Issue

SOC120: Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility

Professor Theodore Framan

April 5, 2010

Tobacco: An Ethical Issue

The history and growth of the tobacco industry is a global industry that consists of growing, marketing, selling tobacco products and has been fraught with questionable ethical practices, as well as an onslaught of lawsuits and litigious actions. Although tobacco is a natural- growing native plant, it is extremely addictive and has many detrimental side-effects for one's health. Although tobacco experienced popularity throughout the world in the past century, the risks associated with smoking have greatly changed the way tobacco is viewed in the 21st century. The many ethical issues regarding tobacco companies include the advertising strategies, physical and psychological effects on smokers and most importantly the claims by consumers that tobacco companies knowingly withheld findings that tobacco is a carcinogenic. While the tobacco industry is thought to be vital to the economy, the people that have been negatively impacted by the health risks of smoking want the tobacco companies to be held accountable for their actions.

The tobacco industry has been plagued for many years by anti-smoking agencies that have tried to submerge the industry with regulations, liability claims and alienation within society (Pearlstein, 1997). In a settlement in 1997 between the tobacco industry and sick smokers, the industry agreed to limitations on advertising and product pricing which would affect the marketability of tobacco in the future (Pearlstein, 1997). The federal cigarette tax raised the price of a pack of cigarettes by 75 cents, so basically new smokers have to pay more for their cigarettes due to the adverse health results of the previous generation of smokers (Pearlstein, 1997). The goal of these regulations and price increases is to reduce the amount of smokers and prohibit new smokers from starting. The irony is that the tobacco companies profit greatly from this price increase. Three cigarette companies dominate the tobacco industry; they are Philip Morris Cos., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. /American Tobacco. Because these companies make up 90% of the cigarette market, they are considered to be like a "cartel" in their monopoly of the tobacco market and price control of their products. Therefore, the sale of cigarettes is extremely profitable, due to the fact that smokers are addicted to their product. It would appear that even with the rise in cigarette prices, sales decrease by only 4% and that's only a temporary effect (Pearlstein, 1997). Yet, while older smokers tolerate the price increases well, it's evident that younger smokers under the age of 25 are not so forgiving and sales with the younger market could possibly decrease up to 40% if prices are raised (Pearlstein, 1997). A positive aspect of the tobacco industry settlement is if fewer people smoke that will help minimize medical costs and improve worker productivity, due to the fact that fewer people will have smoking-related illnesses and deaths. On the other hand, as ex-smokers extend their longevity, there is an increased burden on Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, as well as personal pension plans because more people are living longer (Pearlstein, 1997).

Another by-product of smoking is second-hand smoke and the ethical ramifications of an individual's rights. While smoking is widely known to have detrimental health effects on the user, studies have proven that a non-user who is exposed to cigarette smoke is susceptible to health problems, as well (Otapski, Plumly, & Love, 1997). Before 1970, there was virtually no regulation on the issue of public smoking, other than inside theatres and elevators, and that was out of concern for fire safety; however, laws restricting indoor smoking quickly started to grow and these became known as the "clean indoor air laws" (Otapski, Plumly, & Love, 1997). Tobacco producers were required to label cigarette packaging with the following: "SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide", which makes user's aware of the health dangers of smoking (Otapski, Plumly, & Love, 1997). Because the smokers addiction and enjoyment is so great, the warning is typically ignored. Smokers are simply exercising their personal right of free will and accepting the consequences of the choices they make.

As the U.S., and some parts of the world, become a more smoke-free environment, the challenge lies in not infringing upon the personal liberties of smokers, while the welfare of non-smokers need to be taken into account as well. Indoor smoking, even if segregated from non-smokers, still has the risk of being a health hazard to those who don't smoke (Otapski, Plumly, & Love, 1997). Although, at present indoor smoking has basically become non-existent in the U.S. In an ethical approach, "If one assumes that being rational is the same as being moral, the act of smoking can be scrutinized for its ethical implications by following the deontological approach..." (1997, para.7). This would imply that smoking and its consequences are ignored because judgment is placed on whether the act follows moral law. One of the tenets that a moral action must adhere to is respect to all beings