Rampant Smoking - Reflections and Repercussions - Essay Example

The main problem lies with the government, as the issue is more political than medical. The battle against smoking has not yet been won, as the people who hold power, which is, our government, are least enthralled by the theory of banning tobacco, the industry being a huge money churner.

On 29 September 2005, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that British Columbia could sue tobacco companies to recover health care costs for illnesses caused by smoking. In opposition to this rule, Rondi Adamson in his article Do We Really Want Private Decisions Regulated?, states," But just how much do you want your private decisions regulated by others, snitched-on by your neighbors or used by your government so they can make some money?". The point is that people deserve to take control of their own lives and be responsible for their own decisions, whether harmful or beneficial.

He rightly argues that if this view is to be taken into account for making decisions, then even companies manufacturing a product as commonplace as potato chips should be sued, as even they are dangerous to health. This analysis makes the order of the Supreme Court sound rather dubious. Moreover, our government clearly exhibits double standards when it comes to eliminating tobacco products. It is a well-known affair that the government earns a hefty amount on an annual basis in the form of taxes which it imposes on the tobacco companies. In such a scenario, it would not be incorrect to state that, irrespective of the well-being of the people, the government sure makes a healthy living out of the tobacco business, and thus, would never whole-heartedly support any measures which bring down tobacco sales.

Thus, one would reason that putting a ban on tobacco products is the best bet in this situation. However, this act would be in high disregard to the thinking and decision-making ability of adults, perhaps being the first step towards a crippled democracy. It will also simultaneously let the government off the hook, which very conveniently plays the 'middleman', slyly putting the lives of billions of people on the radar.

One can confidently state that the prime culprit behind rampant smoking is the government, busy collecting bags of money in the form of taxes from tobacco manufacturing companies. Therefore, instead of taking extreme steps such as suing tobacco companies to recover healthcare costs or banning tobacco altogether, the need of the hour is to search for a middle ground. A stand needs to be taken which brings into account the actions and policies of both the people who are puffing away and the government, which earns pools of money by taxing tobacco companies. Such a measure is the only way to make people aware and curb smoking, saving millions of precious lives.