Exporting Death – Ii
by Health ands safety concerns are secondary.
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By Jimbob1
(c) February 24, 2011
Do those in big business have no conscience when it comes to concerns for the health and safety of their fellow man?
Numerous law suits, based on health concerns, against big tobacco companies have cut drastically into the tobacco industry profits.
A growing awareness of health issues such as cancers and respiratory diseases, directly attributable to the effects of smoking and exposure to second and third-hand smoke, coupled with increased emphasis on public education and awareness, has resulted in a substantial decrease in the number of people smoking in North America.
Tobacco farmers are feeling the financial pinch in the resultant reduction of tobacco users across Canada and the United States and they are left wondering what can they do with their farms when they are not longer profitable for the growing and sale of tobacco.
Hey tobacco farmers…have you ever heard of growing vegetables to feed a hungry world?
Unfortunately, while use of smoking materials is showing some decline on the North American market, tobacco use contines to be very high in other parts of the world.
And so it is that the tobacco industry is looking at exporting and expanding its death-related products to other nations where the addiction to tobacco and other smoking materials remains very high (and very lucrative for the tobacco industry).
In the Ukraine, for example, where 64 per cent of men smoke, the average smoker burns up more than 2,500 cigarettes a year…the highest rate of tobacco use in the world.
One can’t help but wonder about the moral and ethical make-up of officials in an industry that is intent on exporting and promoting death for the sake of big bucks.
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Post CommentChristine Ramsay
On February 24, 2011 at 3:31 pm
That is it. It comes down to big bucks. People like this don’t think of the damage they do. They just see dollar signs, and while smokers continue to buy their tobacco, growers will continue to grow it. The only way it will die out is through educating smokers on the hazards. You have put forward a very strong argument there, Jimbob. If only people would listen.
Christine
LoveDoctor
On February 25, 2011 at 12:23 am
A very good and controversial article. I agree with Christine. As long as people continue to spend their money on nicotine products, well there will be more demand to grow it. You also make a very good point with regards to the farmers. By growing vegetables, they would be able to feed a hungry world instead of being so concerned and preoccupied that their farms won’t make that much of a profit now that they are feeling the effects of tobacco reduction. On the other hand, there are some North Americans who have stopped smoking due to health related issues so we are making progress slowly but surely.