Should people exposed to second hand smoke as children be allowed to sue tobacco companies?

Question

What if they developed respiratory illness later in life and never smoked.

Answer 1

This is a good question. On the one hand, there is too much litigation in this country, and too many people try to solve problems by litigating. On the other hand, these children were exposed to dangerous second hand smoke when they had no choice in the matter, and often their parents were misled into thinking that smoking was safe. I guess I would come down on the side of allowing litigation but with rules as to who can and cannot sue, and date limitations. To me, though, there is no clear black and white answer.

Answer 2

I would hope so. As a child I suffered so many respiratory illnesses that cleared up once I moved away from home (where I was the only non-smoker).

My X-rays show scarring from all of the pneumonias and bronchitis I suffered while living in that environment. Unfortunately now, from all that damage, I am more suseptable to pnemonia when I get the flu or even a cold.

Also, what about the women who smoked during pregnancy - My mom smoked the whole time she was pregnant with me and I was born way too early and only 3 lbs. My heart and kidneys also did not develop properly - so I am frequently hospitalized due to these congential defects.

I would love to sue...I remember as a kid seeing ads with pregnant women glamorously smoking Virginia Slims.

Thanks, cigarette pushers. My quality of life has sucked because of my exposure to other people's smoking!

Answer 3

I had asthma as a little kid, my father smoked in the bathroom and whenever i had to go i would have to go fast or else i was afraid to get an attack, but even when my dad finally stopped i would want to play in the stoop of our apartment building and there would be stupid neighbors just puffing away in my face, and when i would go to parks, there the bastards are stinkin' up the place. What i am trying to say is that it is never just one person.

Yes i would definitely sue the Tobacco company if i develop something in the future, that way i can buy myself a home in the mountains, away from the smoking retards.

Answer 4

um...NO. That is like suing the gun maker because someone shot you. How about suing those who were smoking around you when you were little. How about parents having some responsibility other than to breed, you know like raising their kids, instead of wanting everyone else to do it for them. How about not smoking around your kids. How about people take responsibility for their own actions and quit asking the government or everyone else for that matter for money to fix your problems. I am a smoker, but I will not sue the tobacco companies if I ever get cancer or emphysema. It would be my fault because I MADE THE CHOICE to start smoking. This is stupid. I must be off.

Answer 5

It would be a windfall lawsuit for the lawyers that can get their hands on these cases if its allowed, but i dont think you can!
Yes, there are damages, but you would be imputing the negligence of the children's parents for smoking in the first place (in a time when the cigarette cartons/packs have HUGE disclaimers all over them) onto the tobacco companies.

It aint gonna fly, babe! I wish it would though.

Answer 6

I Wish!
My Folks smoked from My Birth to my Departure (Aged 18).
I used to be a mild shade of yellow with all the nicotine in my skin!
As well as having Asthma from Birth-They still continued!
I smelled like an ashtray!(I Guess My School Friends thought I was a walking Cigarette Advert!)

I Hate Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke!

Answer 7

No. The blame falls on the parents, not the tobacco companies. People have known that tobacco is unhealthy for over a century.

President Grant accurately diagnosed his failing health on cigar smoking.

Cigarettes were knows as "coffin nails" or "coughin' nails" prior to WW1.

People who did not heed all the folk wisdom about the nasty weed should not now go around and blame the folks who made the cigarettes - it's not their fault you ignored all the evidence around you.

Answer 8

NO

The tobacco companies didn't force the actual smokers to produce the 2nd hand smoke so have no case to answer.

Especially as the original smokers are regularly warned of the dangers

Answer 9

The tobacco company did not smoke around you, why would you think they need to be sued. Too many money hungry, sue happy,
quick rich people, are mutilating society. I am sorry you have respiratory problems, but if you really feel the need to sue, or lash out, start with your parents for allowing you to be around smokers. If that does not do it for you go on a crusade to complain at smoking parents everywhere, so we have someone else to ignore.

Answer 10

I would think they could sue the people that exposed the second hand smoke to them, I don't know...