Tobacco Essay

Ojiugo Anyadike

Philosophy 119

Dr. McLane

Tobacco has a very long history in the United States. Native Americans first used tobacco for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. The Center for Disease Control reports that the commercial production of tobacco dates back to the 17th century. Through the 17th and 18th centuries, tobacco was seen as a highly coveted cash crop. Americans smoked tobacco freely believing that the plant had medicinal and health benefits. It was not until 1930’s that numerous health issues were linked to the use of tobacco. However at this time, tobacco was a multimillion-dollar industry. These discoveries were hidden and it was not until the 1960’s that people began to question the health risks of tobacco. In 1964, the Surgeon Generals warning appeared on cigarettes, clearly stating the health risks of smoking. I believe that it is the duty of the United States government to protect its citizens from the clear dangers of tobacco by banning the production and sale of cigarettes.

The cigarette can be seen as one of the most fatal substances in the world. Cigarettes kill around 6 million people annually. The cigarette potentially kills about half of its longtime users and harms nearly every organ of the body. Smokers lose an average of 14 years off their lives. Smoking can cause cancer of the Bladder, Blood (acute myeloid leukemia), Cervix, Colon and rectum (colorectal), Esophagus, Kidney and ureter, Larynx, Liver, Pancreas, Stomach, Trachea, bronchus, and lungs. Smokers are also at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and lung disease. Smoking causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, and asthma. Smokers are also at a higher risk of contracting influenza. Influenza c...

... middle of paper ...

...Due to the health risks associated with smoking, smokers end up having more frequent visits to the hospital and pay more altogether for healthcare.

Even the cost of homeowners insurance is affected by smoking. Studies have shown that smokers are more likely to have fires in their homes, thus increasing insurance premiums. Smoking in a house will also decrease its value. Smoking leaves a stench in the carpets that most prospective homeowners don’t want. Smoking can also dim the walls or make them yellow, which is very unattractive to homebuyers. For similar reasons, smokers also pay more for dry cleaning and dentistry services.

Cigarettes are also a defective product. This is because they end up killing about half of their longtime users. Smoking is not a recreational drug because of the simple fact that most users don’t like their habit and wish they could quit.