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... making sections. Per capita consumption of cigarettes continues to decline in the U. S. Data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) shows that cigarette smoking among adults aged 18 and over declined 40 % between 1965 and 1990. There was little to no change in smoking prevalence between 1990 and 1994, however.
This has prompted the larger tobacco companies to use more aggressive marketing by expanding into foreign markets, hence increasing tobacco exports from about 2. 1 billion in 1986 to 5. 3 billion in 1996. The largest overseas markets for U. S. cigarettes are Japan and Europe. Does the U. S.
bear any responsibility for chasing tobacco overseas? Not if it is determined that people are responsible for their own choices; there is no way to justify that it is morally wrong for the companies like Phillip Morris and RJ Reynolds to be responsible for smoking related illnesses that occur overseas. The promotion of tobacco products is another area that has ethical implications. Critics of the tobacco companies suggest that the advertising for their tobacco products is geared toward the younger generation. This was especially true after the introduction of Joe Camel by RJ Reynolds. Before his introduction, Camel captured 1 % of the teen market; now it's 60 % (Bangor, 12).
In defense of the tobacco companies since most youth-oriented magazines have many more adult readers than youth readers, these studies cannot exclude the possibility that cigarette advertisements in these magazines may be targeting young adult readers age 18 to 24 rather than those younger than 18 years of age (King, 516). On August 23, 1996, President Clinton approved the FDA regulation which includes reducing easy access to tobacco by youth by: setting a minimum age of 18 with age verification, banning vending machines except where minors are not allowed, prohibiting the sale of single cigarettes, and prohibiting the distribution of free cigarette samples. The FDA has also created other regulations in order to reduce the appeal of tobacco products to children. There are numerous ethical implications when looking at the tobacco issue. The biggest issue is that of responsibility. The tobacco companies should not be held accountable for the illnesses that people incur from using tobacco products.
There are many products on the market that can cause health problems if used in excess; cigarettes are not excluded. Since the consumer is responsible for his or her actions, the tobacco manufacturers should not be obligated to pay any compensatory or punitive damages on behalf of the tobacco user. Tobacco use in the U. S. is currently experiencing little or no growth. This is due partially to the more rigid regulations regarding advertising and to the fact that smoking is no longer allowed or has been constricted to a certain area in most public buildings.
Since tobacco use is slowing down in the U. S. , the tobacco giants are focusing their efforts toward foreign markets. The responsibility should be lifted for tobacco companies who sell their products overseas, as long as they follow the same requirements that the FDA has implemented in the U. S. No matter what country, people are ultimately responsible for how they want to live their lives. If they choose to buy a pack of cigarettes and ignore the risks written on the package, that is their right!
Everyone knows that smoking kills, the question is: is it worth it? Social Aspects of Tobacco Smoking The consumption of tobacco by smoking is quite an intriguing social phenomenon. Although there are opposing views as to whether or not substances found in the smoke, such as nicotine, are physically addictive, it is not difficult to see the social compulsion exerted on a large number of people. There are a number of ways in which we can observe some of the unique social aspects of smoking.
One of the most interesting is that of the "smoker's bond." There exists, among a surprising number of smokers, an instant unspoken bond amongst them, strictly because they do smoke. A smoker who happens to be out of cigarettes can approach a total stranger on the street and ask for a cigarette, and it is not perceived by the general public as being particularly odd. It is hard to think of any other consumable good that forms this kind of bond amongst strangers. Another interesting observation is that of the cigarette as a prop, or as a tool. One might incorporate their smoking habit into their personal set of gestures and way of speaking, assimilating the habit into their personality so to speak. Additionally, smoking a cigarette can be used as a tool to pass the time, or to give the illusion of having an activity.
If a person is standing on a street corner, just looking around and / or staring off into space, you might think "What is that person doing?" But if that same person were instead smoking a cigarette, now they have an activity: "Oh, that person is stopping to have a smoke. " These and other examples make a strong argument for tobacco smoking as a social addiction, perhaps even moreso than a physical addiction. Techniques employed by tobacco companies Tobacco companies do attempt to encourage consumption at the youngest legally allowed ages. 'Studies show that 80 to 90 percent of U. S. smokers took up the habit before age 20. " (CQ Researcher) This however, is nothing more than strategic target-marketing, employed by makers of all sorts of products. If the law allows tobacco to be sold to eighteen year olds, then why would a company not try to aim their marketing in that direction?
Some tactics criticized have included promotional items that seemingly appeal more to teen-agers than to adults. The complaint is that the items also appeal to those below the national smoking age limit of eighteen years of age. High schools have been known to ban students from wearing items such as T-shirts, jackets, and caps that bear the names of tobacco products. Curiously enough though, there are still high schools that allow some section of their student body (presumably those who are of age) to smoke in designated areas on campus, although this practice has diminished over the years. Most of the above issues pertain to smoking and its effects here in the United States of America. However, another perceived issue is that of our tobacco exports to foreign countries.
Just like any other potentially hazardous substance, pesticides for example, there are opinions voice that there are moral implications connected to selling products overseas where the regulations may not be as strict. But again, as referenced in other substance's cases, it is ultimately the responsibility of the importing country to know what they are taking on. In fact, it would make sense that our Unites States made cigarettes would be probably safer than cigarettes manufactured locally in the third world countries due to our stricter manufacturing standards and regulations. The climate towards smoking in the United States is probably at its most negative since the habit was introduced to our shores. Advertisements for smoking cessation programs and products flood the airwaves. The amount of information available to consumers is at an all-time high.
Why then do people continue to smoke? It might have been easy in the past to implicate the tobacco companies for lack of information concerning the health risks, but that is hardly the case today. There have been increased requirements for warnings on the advertisements as well as the products themselves. Health information available via print, broadcast media, and especially the surge in popularity of the Internet all adds up to a wealth of information available. It is still the responsibility of the consumer to weigh his or her own personal pros and cons of using a product. It cannot ever be assumed that any product available for legal purchase on the open market does not carry any risk along with it.
Conclusion Ultimately, tobacco use is a decision made by the individual. Although there are a number of factors that influence the consumer, it is ultimately that individual's conscious decision whether or not to engage in the activity, as well as to determine to what extent they will participate. Benjamin Franklin is often attributed as having endorsed the philosophy "All things in moderation. " It can be argued that a substance and its manufacturers are not simply evil just by existing. The concepts of "use" and "abuse" must be considered. Individuals who smoke a pack (~ 20 cigarettes) or more per day ought to ask themselves whether they are using or abusing the substance. Conversely, individuals who enjoy a cigarette or cigar only once in a while on special occasion might ask themselves if they are actually engaged in such a dangerous activity.
There are steps that the government can take to help "save people from themselves", but only if and when the majority of the people can agree that those steps are necessary. For example, there have been major increases in regulations over the course of the last 35 or so years, starting most notably with the 1965 Labeling Act. It is not fair to hold the tobacco companies responsible for tobacco-related deaths anymore than it is fair to hold the alcoholic beverage companies responsible for drunk-driving fatalities. Juries have demonstrated this multiple times over in our court system.
Assuming that jury selection is fair, then it could be argued that this is representative of American popular opinion in the matter. In summary, when one takes the time to weigh the evidence, it becomes clear that the ultimate responsibility falls on the people as a whole to educate themselves and be enlightened with respect to what is or is not healthy. Although it is convenient to have a large, wealthy corporation to blame when things go wrong, ultimately people need to first learn to take advantage of the resources available to educate themselves about the products they consume, and then learn to take responsibility for their own choices and actions. Works Cited Barr, Bob. "No: This Unprecedented Power Grab Will Subvert the U. S. Court System and the Economy. " Insight Magazine.
Vol. 15, No. 41. 8 Nov. 1999: 5 - 11. Byrne, John A. "Philip Morris: Inside America's Most Reviled Company. " Business Week. 29 Nov. 1999: 177 - 192. Center for Responsive Politics, 7 Jun. 1998: 1 - 3. HYPERLINK web 1.
html web 1. html Contain, J. B. "Cigarette Taxes Contribute Billions. " Tobacco Series - 4: 1 - 2. HYPERLINK web web Columbia University Trustees. "Go Ask Alice! : Alcohol Related Deaths. " HYPERLINK web web Department of Justice Press Release. "United States Sues Cigarette Companies to Recover Federal Healthcare Costs. " 22 Sep. 1999: 1 - 3. HYPERLINK web web "Involuntary Smoking - Airlines, Other Public Conveyances, and Federal Buildings. " 2 Jan. 1997: 1 - 2. HYPERLINK web web Lucas, C.
E. "Alcohol and Trauma. ": 1 - 4. HYPERLINK web web "Recent Major Tobacco Trials. " 14 Oct. 1999: 1 - 7. HYPERLINK web web "Smoking Legislation. " 19 Feb. 1998: 1 - 3. HYPERLINK web web Snell, William M. , A. Blake Brown, and Russell W. Sutton. "Tobacco Policy. ": 1 - 8.
HYPERLINK web web Torry, Saundra and John Schwartz. "Tobacco Foes Failed to Stoke Voters' Fire. " Washington Post. 8 Nov. 1998: A 02.
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Research essay sample on Years Of Age Tobacco Companies
