What's your point of view on smoking?

Question

My question to you is: Should cigarette companies be required to pay compensation for the health problems caused by smoking? I'm writing an essay on this question and I want some viewpoints. Please and thank you!

Answer 1

My father and paternal both died as a result of complications from COPD. Both of them smoked like chimneys, consequently I hate cigarettes, the sight of them, the smell of them, the very thought of them. I also realize that both men chose this, even if they did not have access to the information that we do today. I take a pragmatic approach to this subject because I personally believe everyone is responsible for their own choices, but perhaps the most telling aspect of why we should not penalize the tobacco companies more than has already been done is this. It would be economic suicide to abruptly remove a multi-billion dollar industry from the economic landscape. I wish that this were not true, but we must deal with reality. Reality is this it would cause untold havoc to the economy of the world to rapidly remove such a significant segment from the aforementioned economy.

Answer 2

Well this is Debatable, but, as long as other Industries also are required to pay compensation would this be justifiable. Good example is the Cell Phone industry. Heck, everyone got a Cell Phone and now I can not think because of the Effects of everyone wanting to use their Cell Phone around me. Many things beside Cigarettes out there that more harmful. I do like the No Smoking policy in Public places, just need to do the same now with Cell Phones. ;-D

Answer 3

I don't believe in asking cigarette companies to pay for people that have gotten cancer from smoking. I have not seen a single person that was forced to smoke. Everyone picked up that cigarette on their own free will to show off among friends or to try it out of curiosity. Just as we make a choice to eat certain foods, wear or not wear a seat belt, we make the choice to smoke or not smoke. Has anyone sued a carmanufacturor for not wearing their seat belt after an accident? After all, the motor company installed the seatbelt in your car. Chose or not chose, live with your choice.

Answer 4

I think what the tobacco compaines are doing now is enough. Focusing on our youth,continuing to campaign against smoking. If they are going to start paying because of the choices someone makes then Beer companies need to fork over money when someone becomes an alcoholic, and they also should be held responsible when someone dies in a car accident involving alcohol. Who should we hold responsible when your kid starts smoking marijuana? They are much worse for the lungs then cigarettes. I have an idea.. Why dont we hold the PARENTS responsible. I will add, I smoked for 15 years and I quit 9 years ago. I educate my child on smoking and why its a bad choice. If he does decide to try it and get hooked, then maybe its because I didnt do enough. I'm not going to sue some tobacco company over it. Whats next......Suing Mcdonalds because your kid is fat?

Answer 5

I don't think that the cigarette companies should pay for it because it is the person that decides to smoke. What the company should pay for however, are stop smoking aids. If a company provides cigarettes they should be able to provide things to make people stop smoking. I know it is contradicting themselves because they want to have more money and they want people to be addicted to cigarettes, but I feel that it should be their responsibility for supplying people with cigarettes.

Hope this helps
PS I like doing things like this :P

Answer 6

No I don't think Cigarette companies should be held liable for the results of smoking. They aren't holding a gun to anyone's head and forcing them to smoke. However, they have been aware for quite some time of the dangers on smonking and the harm cigarettes and second hand smoke causes society and kept them a secret or at least attempted to for several years and since the big law suits have owned up to the point of advertising and offering alternatives to smoking. They are partly responsible for the big push to 'talk to your kids about the dangers of smoking' campaign on TV and radio. Don't know if this was part of the settlement from the law suits or not but either way...they offer stop smoking classes. I am a nurse who use to smoke. I stopped smoking after 19 years... I feel better for it. I breathe better, my food tastes better and I know I smell better to those around me...but best of all I now have grandchildren and I don't have to worry about them coming to my home and breathing contaminated air that may cause them irreversible harm in years to come. I have seen that harm... and I don't want my children or grandchildren to bear that pain and that death comes too slow for those that suffer it. But life is full of choices, and America is a country of FREEDOM of CHOICE so please feel free to choose to stop smoking. The best choice is to choose never to start.

Answer 7

I'm a smoker and I find it really hard to stop. Even though I know the risks of smoking can cause harm to my health. I'm not really sure about them paying compensation. Only because it's the consumers fault that they started smoking on their decision to start in the first place. Nobody paid them to smoke or put a gun to their head to try the product. GOOD LUCK on your essay.

Answer 8

The cigarette companies upped the amount of nicotine in their cigarettes and downplayed the health risks. Wrong? Yes. For that they are accountable. Every time I stuck a cigarette in my face for the 20 odd years I smoked, that was my conscious decision, w/o coercion. I should be held accountable for my actions, especially now that we have so much information

Answer 9

I think that there are not reazon to them pay, they make the product and also advice (health problems), we the customers should be more inteligent and to have more choices. Now young people have more knowledges about the damages that cigarrettes smoking create on people and the shouldn't start taking this bad habit, not trying to look cool because my friend is smoking. Good Luck in your essay.

Answer 10

well, i don't they should have to pay for the health problems of the people who choose to smoke. They made the choice to smoke they should suffer the consequences. However...for the people that have health problems from second hand smoke...if it could be proven they should pay. But i don't see that ever happening.