The Tobacco Of Tobacco Advertising

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The use of tobacco has been linked to many diseases. On every cigarette pack sold in the United States, there is a warning which indicates the potential for adverse heath effects from smoking cigarettes. Among these effects are low birth weights for pregnant women, emphysema, and cancer. This is evidenced by numerous studies. The smoking population in India are not immune. In order to curb the public costs of caring for individuals who have been affected by smoking, legislators in India decided to craft a bill which prohibited tobacco companies from advertising and the sponsorship of athletic and cultural events. This effort was met with opposition from tobacco companies, as they claimed the legislation would affect their businesses. Legislators cited their responsibility to their constituents well-being as reason to prohibit tobacco advertising. In this case analysis, I will explain the positions of those who supported the tobacco advertising ban, those who opposed it, and discuss the conflict of interests among the Indian government that interfered with the passing of the legislation.

In 2001, Indian legislators, with the best of intentions, cited many reasons why a ban on tobacco advertising would be in the best interest of the people they govern. Legislators felt a moral responsibility to their people, and therefore the health and well-being of their people was paramount to tobacco company revenue. When people are healthy, they are more likely to live longer, work longer, and be more productive. Because of this, they will be able to contribute more money into the state 's coffers. Advocates of the tobacco advertising ban looked to countries such as France, Norway, and Finland, which had already instituted the ban. They set ...

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...ticipate in my choice. Government is best suited to provide for its people 's defense not to be an overreaching parental figure. Considering the level of corruption in our government and the blatant inefficiency in all facets of governmental operation, I can not trust the government to make any decisions for me, no matter the potential repercussions. Government has no business prohibiting any substance from being possessed by adults, nor should they prohibit a company from advertising its product. Unless the advertisement is geared toward those who are legally incapable of making their own decisions, and it respects the societal norms of decency, government should keep its nose out of the people 's business.

Ban on Tobacco Ads by the Government of India. (2010). Retrieved July 12, 2016, from http://www.icmrindia.org/free resources/casestudies/ban-tobacco-ads11.htm

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