Ban on Tobacco Ads by the Government of India
An article titled: Ethics in Business was written between 1998 - 2001 and finally published in February 6, 2001. This article was written about a tobacco organization called India Tobacco Company (ITC) Philip Morris, found in India.
1. Arguments in favour of the ban on tobacco advertising in India
Government, acting as the manager of the entire country has the responsibility to protect its citizens against any inappropriate behaviour. In 2001, India launches arguments in favour of the ban on tobacco advertising in the country. Fights between ethical and commercial issues are usually very challenging. The company (ITC) spent much money sponsoring many cultural events which at first sight was promoting
…show more content…
Government should make posters available everywhere in India warning the public about the dangers of cigarette. Educating them on the various diseases such as cancer, stroke, coronary heart disease, tuberculosis, premature death and many others which are related to tobacco consumption. Also there should be tax increment in all companies producing risky products to the detriment of citizens. This is because tobacco is not the only health hazard product available in the nation but other products such as firearms, pharmaceutical products which are in the market but nothing is said about their effect. Government should sensitise parents to expose the effects of smoking to their children, so that even if you they watch such advertisements, they will no longer be persuaded. Smoking should be prohibited in public places like in schools, bus stations, restaurants, churches, and so on. Nevertheless, I advise the government to create job opportunities with good pay packages in case tobacco companies close down, they will not suffer. Last but not the least, I will encourage the government to trace the source of the raw materials and destroy. Because if the source is undamaged, companies will continue but when there is lack, they will stop. Trainings on ethics should be organized to help citizens know what is appropriate or inappropriate for them and the
Tobacco companies should be prevented from using advertising tactics that target teenagers. There has always been controversy as to how tobacco companies should prevent using advertising tactics to target teenagers. As controversial as this is tobacco companies shouldn’t advertise teen smoking. Many teens may be lured to believe cigarette advertising because it has been part of the American Culture for years, magazine ads and the media target young people, and these companies receive a drastic increase financially; however, the advertising by these cigarette companies has disadvantages such as having to campaign against their own company, limiting their cigarette advertising and becoming a controversial dilemma as to encouraging teenagers to smoke. From billboards to newspaper advertisements, cigarette promotions started becoming part of the American Culture.
The tobacco industry seems like a beneficial addition to our economy. It has basically been a socially acceptable business in the past because it brings jobs to our people and tax money to the government to redistribute; but consider the cost of tobacco related treatment, mortality and disability- it exceeds the benefit to the producer by two hundred billion dollars US. (4) Tobacco is a very profitable industry determined to grow despite government loss or public health. Its history has demonstrated how money can blind morals like an addiction that is never satisfied. Past lawsuits were mostly unsuccessful because the juries blamed the smoker even though the definition of criminal negligence fits the industry’s acts perfectly. Some may argue for the industry in the name of free enterprise but since they have had such a clear understanding of the dangers of their product it changes the understanding of their business tactics and motives. The success of the industry has merely been a reflection of its immoral practices. These practices have been observed through its use of the media in regards to children, the tests that used underage smokers, the use of revenue to avoid the law, the use of nicotine manipulation and the suppression of research.
There needs to be a policy to ban cigarettes, it kills the smoker, in addition, could kill the person exposed to the smoke from cigarettes. “The cigarette is also a defective product, meaning not just dangerous but unreasonably dangerous, killing half its long-term users” (Proctor), cigarettes are not healthy in any way making it a defective product, it mainly kills the smoker rather than helping them. It was produced to be inhalable smoke harming anyone who smokes them making it a defect because in the past the tobacco was too harsh to be inhaled. The policy would help cigarette smokers, especially since they don’t even like the habit of smoking cigarettes, knowing it harms them.
Once the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan said “tobacco is the only industry that produces products to make huge profits and at the same time damage the health and kill their consumers.” Tobacco is one of the main addictions that lead to millions of deaths, and hence, it is still not banned, but companies make millions of dollars by manufacturing cigarettes. Many people believe that graphic warnings would be one of the ways to reduce the number of people smoking, and prevent from diseases such as cancer, or lung problems. However, tobacco industries oppose to this movement because it is effecting their profits and reputation. This is a very egoistic perspective because they use the population to become a profitable company while millions of people suffer on that. People has been fighting with this issue since century where graphic warnings have not been fully accepted by the government. Therefore, Food and Drug Administration intentions are to put 6 graphic pictures showing effects of smoking such as, a man exhaling cigarette smoke through a tracheotomy hole in his throat or an infant surrounded by cigarette smoke or two pictures of a healthy lung and an ill lung and many more. Ultimately, graphic warnings should be required on cigarette packs because it educates about health risks, decreases smoking rate in the society, and reduces attractiveness of smoking among adults and juveniles.
The government should pass legislation for the permanent ban of cigarette manufacturing, and sales due to the various health problems caused by smoking. Smoking cigarettes not only causes major health problems but it also causes cosmetic problems. Lung cancer is one of the most vicious cancers around and it is caused by long term smoking. Smoking causes yellowing of the teeth and skin, it also causes premature wrinkles and speeds up the growth of facial hair in women. Smoking has also been related to amputation of limbs in people who smoke. Smoking also contributes to the slow healing process in people with diabetes.
In conclusion the country of India has many supporters and non supporters of the tobacco advertising ban. While some argue that it is totally in the best interest of the citizens. Others feel it is a blatant abuse of power by the government. The conflict of interest arises from India being a country that is in the tobacco industry to banning the advertising of the product they are growing. And by having government put strict regulations on the production of tobacco in regards to the added contaminants would reduce the health risks involved with the consumption of the current products
Some would say their freedom is being taken away, however the government would be bettering the population and it would only help to better everyone. Tobacco education would be one of the most important aspects to make to ban of tobacco pass through government. The citizens need to have knowledge about why it is being taken away and how to get help to stop the addiction to fully the harmfulness (“All Things”, 2002). On the other side however, ever individual has their right of freedom. This ban of tobacco would contraindicate the right of freedom, but it would better the countries health and in the long run only help our nation live
Increasing taxes, resulting in a more expensive product, would be an effective way to encourage tobacco users to quit and prevent children from starting to smoke. Taxes on inexpensive tobacco products should be equivalent to higher-priced products, such as premium-brand cigarettes, to prevent substitution in consumption. On a regular basis taxes need to be adjusted for inflation. Taxes regarding tobacco are already common to the public and would aid government revenues. This would make tobacco products a luxury item, resulting in a marginal decrease in sales from poverty stricken areas, and children. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) people 18-24 years of age and people living below poverty level account for 42% of all cigarette smokers. Making it almost impossible to afford a tobacco habit to 42% of cigarette users would result in a decrease in tobacco use, along with the people who would hopefully quit due to the price hike. With a similar strategy to banning the sales, we do not want the public to think we are taking there freedom from them, taking small steps and slowly transitioning will be the key to a successful
One of the largest and most problematic health issues in our society is smoking. Smoking is currently the leading cause of death in our country, due to its harmful and addicting contents, such as nicotine and tobacco. Although millions die from it each year, smoking is the single most preventable cause of death as well. Without smoking, a tremendous amount of money and lives will be saved. I think that our country should ban smoking and the production of cigarettes in order to maintain a healthier nation, help save the environment, and prevent the almost 1000 deaths that they cause in fires each year.
One way that the tobacco industry can be more ethical is changing their advertising strategy. I believe that today’s advertising strategy is very misleading about cigarettes. Examples of this unethical advertising is in Argentina, here 20 percent of television advertising is spent on smoking commercials, as well as in countries in and around Africa there are billboards that depict a man in a business suit stepping out of a black Mercedes as a chauffeur holds the door. This displays that cigarettes make people classy and sophisticated, making cigarettes look not only harmless but stylish. Another good example of unethical depiction on cigarettes is in Nigeria; here they promote a cigarette for graduates, with a picture of a university and a student in a cap and gown. As if this wasn’t a misleading visual they add a slogan that says, "A very important cigarette for very important people." These ads and slogan are ...
Summarize the arguments in favor of the ban on tobacco advertising in India. The argument was that if advertising was banned for tobacco products it could effectively cut down on the amount of people who would smoke. It would also cut down on the youth who were beginning to smoke since they would not see the advertising. The cost of health care was more significant than the cost of what the tobacco companies would give to the government in revenue each year. Examples of how the consumption of tobacco went down in a few other countries after advertising was used to support this outlook.
Should tobacco and alcohol advertising be allowed on television? The ban on advertising tobacco is already in affect, however, alcohol is another harmful substance. Should liquor be allowed to be advertised, if tobacco can not advertise their product? The ban on advertising tobacco products on television and radio, was passed through legislation in 1970 by Richard Nixon. This argument like others out there has two sides, one side in favor these advertisements and the other against these advertisements. Since both of these substances are highly addictive and costly. Would we like to see these advertisements continued? Are these advertisements the hazard they are communicated to be? Through the research of these two important sides, this essay will explore which side has a stronger stance on the topic.
In February 2001, India announced a bill that would ban Tobacco companies from advertising and sponsoring sporting events. This decision was immediately met with dissension. Many believed the government didn’t have moral grounds to make such a decision and that this action held no weight. But was this action even achievable? Would it even have the desired effect and was it even morally ethical?
The governments must ban the sales of tobacco products. There are many consequences to smoking like health, addiction, cessation and economic costs. Second hand smoke is a major problem, since smoking is allowed in alot of public places.
With government currently imposing ban on surrogate advertisements, firms area unit turning to event support, event organizing, company films and a lot of and a lot of innovative IMC methods. The Section five of the act prohibits the promotion of “Tobacco Products” direct and indirect suggests that and to appear from a general purpose of read the tobacco merchandise aren't promoted instead the name of the whole of the tobacco product is employed to push different merchandise. The ASCI could be a voluntary self-regulation council, that has required a Code of Conduct to manage the content of advertisements with a read to realize honest advertising practices. The Code applies to any or all varieties of promotion, that is, to newspapers, magazines, television, radio, cinema and posters, amongst others.