Tobacco Company's Responsibility for Illnesses and Deaths - Term Paper Example

Tobacco, companies should be responsible for the cause of Illnesses and Deaths Order No. 272543 No. of pages: 8 1st 6530 Introduction A. “Tobacco smoking is injurious to health” is one of the most popular signs which have not changed its caption even after centuries of research because it is a fact that cannot be taken lightly nor be denied. Yes, indeed tobacco is injurious not only to the person who uses it, but more so in the case of people who do not make use of it. Research has shown that consuming tobacco in any form is highly injurious to health. Tobacco usage has been found to be one of the major causes of illnesses and deaths all over the world and the efforts made by the government in this respect has been very slow and gradual. B. Research over the years has shown that tobacco users in general have much less stamina than normal regular people. Their muscular endurance is poor and they find it difficult to exercise. Even their immune system is not strong and hence they are easily prone to diseases such as cancers, heart disease and strokes. Passive smokers are at a greater risk because inhaling of tobacco smoke leads to chronic lung disease. sinus problems and even lung cancer. Other diseases caused by tobacco are throat, pancreas and even colon – rectal cancers, chronic bronchitis and a high risk of coronary- artery disease. Even after knowing the dangers caused by tobacco usage, both the general public and the government does not seem to understand the seriousness and taken action in this direction. Though a lot of schemes and plans have been drawn up over the years, yet implementing them or seeing that they are effectively carried out is what is neglected. II – (Body) - Risk of smoking Introduction It is a well known fact that tobacco usage is extremely dangerous to health and people who indulge in it are facing great risk of deterioration of health and running the risk of making themselves vulnerable towards so many diseases. In addition to them, the people around them are at a greater risk in the capacity of passive smokers. 1. In reality the responsibility lies on the “Passive “smoker.” This is the group that needs to be protected and taken care of. In every area of ordinance today, we find that the “Passive smoker” is the one who is increasingly vulnerable and therefore in dire need of protection and significant laws that should be structured to protect this group. It is here that the Tobacco industry has to take responsibility, even though we are yet unable to lay down workable, efficient and tangible guidelines. Tobacco is a killer and the irony is that it affects the “passive” smoker in a much more dangerous way and this is the reason why this industry needs to take responsibility and address more effective means of health care and to work more closely with NGO’s and such like minded organizations and eventually over a period of time move away from the production of all tobacco based products because it poses a great threat not only to those consuming it but even more to the society at large. The Tobacco industry too, is quite aware of its need to adopt a placating stance and demonstrate its responsibilities. Today’s buzz word of “Corporate Social Responsibility” is a very important corporate function, which has a lot of significance in the Tobacco industry budgets. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. (2006). Illness and deaths which can come from either the active or the passive smoker, but it is much more in the Passive smoker, now becomes a crucial area of concern for all Health Care Professionals in addition to the Medical fraternity. 2. Tobacco consumption definitely makes the body more susceptible to diseases. Tobacco users also run the risk of impotency because they experience erectile dysfunction and hence are not interested in the opposite sex. Individuals who smoke or chew tobacco experience a general run down in health and do not have much stamina to work. This general weakness makes them more susceptible to other diseases that may spread. They feel very weak and are unable to perform to their best potential. Tobacco users also experience a loss of appetite and a general lack of interest or zest for life. 3. Chronic diseases such as different kinds of cancers are widespread due to Tobacco usage. Tobacco is known as the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2004) and is responsible for one in three cancer deaths in the country. Chronic cancer of the mouth, throat and lungs are all caused due to the unhealthy use of Tobacco. Since cancer is hardly a curable disease, health care professionals have difficulty in dealing with patients who use tobacco and have contacted cancer. The profit driven tobacco industry has been accused of hiding evidence about the ill effects of tobacco from the public, as well as creating obstacles in the way of science and scientists, who were determined to bring to light its harmful effects. (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 2006) Argument 4. In our argument of who are more susceptible to diseases, it is definitely the Passive smoker who is either oblivious to the effects of tobacco or has a “don’t care less attitude towards it. The implication of the tobacco industry in spreading illness and death is a foregone conclusion, matched by voluminous evidence gathered by litigants and the general public alike, made explicit in the report by Chapman, where he says that ‘The acres of documentary evidence now available on industry nicotine manipulation ... evoke nothing less than imagery of scheming industrial chemists setting out to maximize addiction.’ (Chapman, S. (2002c) Counter- argument The complicity of industrial captains in promoting this addictive habit has come under severe criticism. While in today’s environment, the industry is held guilty, in the period between 1954 and 1996, in the absence of industry documents, these companies were, to a great extent, successful in subverting any attempt at prosecution. The companies were even able to convince juries and judges that it was the individual who was ‘choosing to smoke’ in spite of being well aware of the negative health consequences of his habit. (Daynard et al., 2000) Therefore, in such a scenario I think introducing a law as part of a government policy could lead us in the right direction. B. Pregnant Women and Tobacco. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of mental retardation in the newborn baby, including the risk of diabetes and obesity in the mother. Children born from mothers who are habitual smokers may be born with a cleft lip or palate. Maternal smoking also leads to miscarriages or underweight in babies. Other causes of using tobacco during pregnancy could lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or even better chances of a premature delivery or even a still born baby. Chapman, S. (2002c. pgs. 111- 113) Therefore tobacco usage is not recommended as it leads to very poor health. The negative effect of tobacco on health especially in the case of pregnant women in relation to their infants, is a topic that has been hotly debated and discussed threadbare and literally taken to the cleaners which goes to show the extent to which analyzing this issue has gone. Linking usage of tobacco with a carcinogenic result and as well as the dangers that occurs during pregnancy, has been proven and is currently an accepted medical fact. Therefore, such being the situation, an anti - smoking lobby can be put to use effectively in order to satisfy the situation. Governing bodies worldwide are wary of antagonizing the anti - tobacco lobby (Daynard R., Bates C. and Francey, N. (2000) and as another alternative have loaded taxes and surcharges on this industry, with the hope that it would curb its practices. But considering its devoted and dedicated clientele this proposition remains where it started. C. Diseases through Tobacco Usage There are many diseases cause due to tobacco smoking or tobacco chewing. Some of these diseases are different types of cancers of the lungs, throat and mouth, sinus problems, and also breathing problems. Other diseases caused by tobacco are throat, pancreas and even colon – rectal cancers, chronic bronchitis and a high risk of coronary- artery disease. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2004) Another major cause for concern is that tobacco smoking leads to diabetes, a disease that reduces the individual’s quality of life making them dependent on the use of medicinal drugs for the rest of their lives. Tobacco usage also induces Obesity in a person who finds it very difficult to lead a normal life. An obese person experiences fatigue and heaviness in the body and is unable to perform the normal everyday functions without experiencing breathing and palpitation problems. In general the individual leads a very poor quality of life. Argument In October 2000, the Attorney General, filed a lawsuit against the companies who had caused “the death and illness of millions of Americans” In this landmark call for the prosecution of tobacco companies, the authorities lay the blame squarely at the doorstep of these companies, accusing them of deceiving the general public about the health risks of smoking, the various diseases caused and also the addictive nature of nicotine. It went so far as to say that these companies especially target youth, so as to bring the new generation under the influence of this addiction. The government also made it clear that it also sought to “recover the tobacco companies ill-gotten gains,” which without a doubt would amount to almost “280 billions of dollars.” (Mark Gottlieb, 2005) Refutation The negative effect of tobacco on health is a topic that has been hotly debated and discussed threadbare and literally taken to the cleaners which goes to show the extent to which analyzing this issue has gone. Linking usage of tobacco with a carcinogenic result has been proven and is currently an accepted medical fact. Therefore, such being the situation, an anti - smoking lobby can be put to use effectively in order to satisfy the situation. Governing bodies worldwide are wary of antagonizing the anti - tobacco lobby and as another alternative have loaded taxes and surcharges on this industry, (Daynard R., Bates C. and Francey, N. (2000) with the hope that it would curb its practices. But considering its devoted and dedicated clientele this proposition remains where it started. Conclusion Current Interventions Even while all sections of society are arguing about the do’s and don’t of tobacco usage, sincere efforts are being made in all directions while keeping the best interests of everyone at heart, in finding real strategies that would work. For example, the “CDC Guidance for Collaboration of Schools and Communities’ with the private sector, offers directions towards considering establishing partnerships and directly accepting money from the tobacco industry towards implementing tobacco - prevention programs for the youth. (CDC Guidance for Collaboration with the Private Sector) ‘Media Sharp’ is another program which uses the media as a potent tool to make the youth aware of the dangers through programs for effective tobacco control. ‘The Guidelines for Schools Health Programs’ helps to identify the right strategies, to prevent tobacco addiction, especially among the youth. Another publication titled ‘Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control programs’ (CDC, 2007) was designed to enable the different states to plan and execute effective tobacco - control programs. In addition to the above we have publications (CDC. Gov.) such as “Tobacco- Free Sports” that encourage school administrators, coaches and other state and local departments of health to promote all sections of society to choose a lifestyle that is active and free from the dangers of tobacco. Surveys such as the “National Youth Tobacco Survey”, (CDC Methodology, 2004)gives us information on tobacco determinants, and the availability, cessation, media and advertising and damage to the ecology and environment due to exposure to tobacco smoke (ETS) The argument that arises here is why do people engage in dangerous tobacco use when they know its poor outcomes? It is rather tricky and difficult to put your finger on any one answer that is the right, the reason being there are no right answers. It is a well known fact that tobacco usage, whether in the form of cigarette smoking or tobacco chewing are all detrimental to health and there are no ‘good reasons’ for using tobacco in any form. I have never come across people who said that they have improved in health due to using tobacco. But I have definitely come across people suffering from various diseases such as cancers of the mouth, throat, stomach etc. impotency, fatigue and a general run- down in health. The above data findings in this report has its own limitations because it applies only to the youth attending school and is not representative of all individuals within the same age group; secondly, there are chances of over-reporting and under-reporting about the extent of cigarette smoking in this particular age group. Current Research in the Field In an effort to set right the anti - tobacco Lobby, the tobacco Industry strives to demonstrate its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) by not only paying some of the highest tax regimes, but also making contributions towards setting up of educational institutions, setting up of Grants,, Scholarships, promoting ”Green” initiatives and working alongside the NGO’s (Non- Governmental Organizations) in creating awareness campaigns and thereby endeavoring to create a “We too are doing our bit” mindset. (Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2007) These efforts could pay dividends and build a more cooperative method for a more practical way of bringing in a consolidated balance. Refutation It is imperative that the government has to take steps to completely eradicate this industry even though it interferes with the fabric of social life styles, but more so it becomes even more difficult on the economic front because this industry is one of the highest tax contributors. So Governing bodies will need to strike a balance and work towards identifying ways and means wherein responsibility can be tweaked to the extent of funding, for setting up research centres in life saving drugs, rehabilitation programs and awareness campaigns that would ultimately strike a balance between the government on one hand, and the ill effects faced by the people on the other. The National health objective of 2010 (US Department of Health and Human Services; 2000) for reducing the rate of current tobacco use among high school students can be realized if the present rate declines gradually. The department for Justice also seeks to restrict the advertising of cigarettes to black-and-white, print-only formats, known as “tombstone ads,” with half the space in any ad reserved for "graphic health warnings." (Mark Gottlieb, 2005) Comprehensive Programs for tobacco control, community-wide, state wide, national wide and international wide could contribute a lot towards achieving the goal of a tobacco free life, which in turn would enhance the health and life-style of people all over the world. References Chapman, S. (2002c) Blaming tobaccos victims. Tobacco Control, 11, 167–168 Daynard R., Bates C. and Francey, N. (2000) Tobacco litigation worldwide. British Medical Journal, 320, 111–113 Mark Gottlieb, (2005) Most Important Remedies remain in DOJ case…. www.tobacco.neu.edu/litigation/cases/DOJ/ccadc_disgorgement.htm U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. (2006). United States of America v. Philip Morris U.S.A., Inc. Retrieved August 12, 2008, from http://www.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/litigation/usvpm/FinalOpinion_full_version.pdf U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2004). The health consequences of smoking: A report of the surgeon general. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health. US Department of Health and Human Services. Tobacco use; 27-2: reduce tobacco use by adolescents. In: Healthy people 2010: understanding and improving health. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2000. Available at http://www.healthypeople.gov/document/pdf/volume2/27tobacco.pdf. CDC. Best practices for comprehensive tobacco control programs---2007. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2007. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/tobacco_control_programs/stateandcommunity/best_practices. Tobacco Use Prevention Publications www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/tobacco/publications.htm Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. CDC. Methodology of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. MMWR 2004;53(No. RR-12) U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL REMARKS URGING FUNDING FOR ... http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2000/October/590ag.htm Read More