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Tobacco companies now have to tell the truth in America
A Federal Judge in the United States has ordered tobacco companies to publish statements, in various types of advertisements that they had lied about the dangers of smoking in the past. Approximately 1 200 people a day in the United States die as a result of smoking and each one of the advertisements will have to begin by saying that the tobacco companies, “deliberately deceived the American public about the health effects of smoking.”
The Judge wrote that the corrective statements are based on findings of fact made by the Court and that, “… the tobacco companies perpetuated fraud and deceived the public regarding the addictiveness of cigarettes and nicotine”. With all the statements about how they misled the public before, together with warning photographs, etc, one wonders whether there will even be space for the name of the tobacco company on the box of cigarettes. Personally, I think that given that the Courts have found this, and it is certainly true that less people would have smoked if they had understood the real dangers which were concealed from them by these companies, that it is an excellent idea and the American Courts are to be praised in that regard.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Friday 14-Dec-12
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Comments
Sinead said:
on Tuesday 08-Jan-13 10:33 AM
It all depends on your personality. If you have an addictive personality - you will most likely take one pull and smoke forever (or until you can bring yourself to stop or cut down) Personally, I don't quite like smoking because whenever I am around smoke too long, my eyes itch and my throat gets scratchy. I have no problem with smokers though as my best friend smokes =) but this debate with go on forever...
Robyn said:
on Monday 07-Jan-13 12:05 PM
There will always be a debate with smoking. I have no issue with it, I stopped because I wanted to and not because I read some horrendous article about how it kills you or how bad it is for you. Clearly it is bad for you but like everyone has said here, other stuff is bad too and no matter how much we talk about it, read articles about it, see pictures on cigarette packets, smokers will smoke because the WANT to. And they will also quit because they WANT to.
Sundome said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 11:23 AM
Wow, Julie really has said it all!
My mom smoked when she was pregnant with me and there is nothing wrong with me (well I dont think so).
I just wish the NON-smokers can stop "attacking" the smokers.
Genevieve said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 11:20 AM
Could not have said it any better Julz. Again, there are things worse than smoking that people should focus on. I don't see anyone going around complaining about the teenager that just found out she is pregnant, and her MySpace "friend" is the father. Why? Because it does not affect your life? Then why should smokers affect yours?
Corné said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 11:11 AM
I sooo agree with Julie. ...
Julie said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 10:21 AM
..it should be quit - not quite - but not quite yet - hahaha
Julie said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 10:19 AM
Hahahaha - Caron, have you seen Ivan?? He's a MONSTER and weighed 4+kg birth - he was so big I had to take him home in a blanket. Both my kids are highly intelligent, had absolutely NO birth-issues; were VERY healthy babies.... Nicotine is not the only "addictive" thing or "killer" out there - the health risks and blah blah's about smoking is overrated. Coffee is addictive; pain killers are addictive; anti-depressants are addictive; talking too much is addictive; sex is addictive.... C'mon - let's face it - with OR without cigarettes we're screwed. Wrong eating and drinking habits kill you and on and on and on....
I'm a smoker too and I too want to quite - so this comment is not because I'm a smoker - it's a fact. Look around you - how many people are on pain killers - LIVE on pain killers and other drugs; eat loads of rubbish that KILLS you in the end; sodas that KILLS you; depression KILLS you; loneliness KILLS you. Agge nee man - and note the following: take the sick leave records of smokers and compare it with non-smokers - you will be surprised at the results.
Liesl said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 10:18 AM
This is and always will be a sensitive subject and smokers would always jump to the defence. Being an ex-smoker myself I understand how smokers think and why they react the way they do. I must also add that I am very greatful that I managed to give it up, I have never looked back and I sincerey hope that I will never ever develop the need for it again.
Tans said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 09:00 AM
I suppose the decision was based on powerful evidence that the industry was well aware that smoking and nicotine are addictive, manipulated its products to maximize addiction and deceptively marketed “light” and “low” tar products as healthy alternatives to regular products despite knowing they were just as deadly.
Caron said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 08:08 AM
Smoking during pregnancy not only diminishes the babies growth resulting in a low birth weight but also the babies brain development resulting in a baby entering the world with a diminshed mental capacity. All of this due to a decreased supply of oxygen with an increased supply of cigarette smoke toxins.
Caron said:
on Friday 14-Dec-12 08:01 AM
The average person only believes smoking causes lung cancer. The reality is that smoking can cause throat, lung, stomach, kidney and bladder cancer.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
