The Tobacco Endgame

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In the article "The Tobacco Endgame: Is It Possible?" written by Thomas E. Novotny, published by PLOS Medicine, explores many of the current ongoing developments and global prevention strategies to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of tobacco worldwide. Novotny argues that the current status quo on the reduction of tobacco use is insufficient and must "require something new, bold, and completely different from what is currently in place" (Novotny, 2015) in order to end the menace of tobacco-related diseases. the article focuses on the conflict and health risk of tobacco. health risk such as the Mortality rate, over a "billion people in the 21st century will die" (Novotny, 2015) from tobacco use. The article also focuses on the strategies, …show more content…

It should be considered that tobacco is already deeply rooted and firmly established into global customs, traditions, and cultures. This establishment in culture includes the use of tobacco in developed first-world to undeveloped third-world countries around the globe. It has been estimated that there are approximately 1.3 billion tobacco users worldwide, 82 percent being from second or third world countries (ASH, 2009). According to the Centre of Disease Control & Prevention, it is estimated that 40 million Americans currently smoke tobacco products (2016). A more specific use of tobacco products that challenges the force of policy is the use in ceremonial belief, specifically those of the Native Americans. The use of tobacco by Native Americans is ancient and has a significant spiritual meaning of their people, ancestors, and gods (Godlaski, 2012). This large prevalence of users proves that it is also ingrained in third world culture for socialization and tradition. Due to the fact that the global population of tobacco users are already addicted and will always find the means to get access to tobacco, it is not logical to attempt to limit the use of a recreational, therapeutic, and religious …show more content…

Even though it is widely known that tobacco is known as a risk factor for many diseases, it should not negate the fact that using legal tobacco products is a choice made by an individual; the rights to freedom of choice should not be stripped due to the fact the policies limit the accessibility or availability of tobacco. Tobacco companies use the argument of individual rights, viewing "that people have a right to smoke—that is, they have no obligation not to smoke" (Katz, 2005). For example, the outcome risk for tobacco may parallel that of prohibiting ideas as unhealthy foods and unsafe activities such as, junk food, alcohol, skydiving, swimming etc. (Harbor, 2002). An individual is entitled to making their own decisions about what they put into their own bodies, especially if that product is globally legal, based on the information available to them, which tobacco companies directly supply. For these reason or freedom of choice of a legal substance, it is believed that tobacco should not be limited by policy to the global

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