Does anyone else find this a little hypocritical? Doesn't the province of Ontario collect over $1Billion annually from the sale of tobacco products and then turn around and sue the companies for selling a LEGAL product? If its so harmful, and so taxing on our health system - why not ban it outright?
The government ruled out banning tobacco a long time ago, claiming education and progressive restrictions were the smarter way to go. The government now needs to decide if allowing the selling of tobacco is worth the extra health care costs. Ontario health system spends $1.6 B annually on tobacco-related illnesses, resulting in about 36 deaths per day. Yes there would probably be a huge black market for tobacco ...but at least it would get it out of sight potential tobacco-addicts and temptations.
But why stop at tobacco companies - why not sue producers of alcohol, or casinos, or McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King - there are many health risks associated with those. Is this the way of the future? Will this lawsuit set precedent in terms of corporate social responsibility?
Or another question - what happens with the money, if by chance Ontario wins? Is it put into a general fund?? Or specific for tobacco-related cases? Or will it be put towards programs to reduce use and combat addictions? As a taxpayer I want some satisfaction that this money is being well spent.
You're probably right about it being hypocritical. But I think anything to do with smoking is bad, as even with all the current restrictions in place, I still find myself a victum of second hand smoke all over the university. Anything that hurts them is good, even if the government benefits twofold. Sure, it might be a slippery slope towards a similar fate for other 'unhealthy' lifestyle choices like alcohol and fast food, but people arn't able to comprehend the concequences of their actions when they don't occur for another 20 years down the road...we might actually thank them in those 20 years when we don't all die of strokes and heart attacks.
ReplyDeleteTotally Agree with you Vick. Its just funny that they are suing big tabacco because it looks good to do so. Im a liberal but at the same time i can see exactley what they are doing so that the "image" looks good. It would finally be about time if someone made a serious challenge to smoking and the causes and harms it has on others and thier health. Its just a shame that a toothless lawsuit is all thats happening
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the lawsuit is completely hypocritical. The government is just trying to look good. The government regulates this product...like i said in my blog if they are regulating and controlling this product then their supporting it! That is why i think that they are being hypocrites maybe if they didn't support the selling of it then they could sue them.
ReplyDeleteI too find this to be quite hypocritical. How can you sue the tobacco companies while supporting the sale of the product at the same time.
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