Question

People continue to take up smoking even though it has been known for over 40 year that smoking causes cancer and there is a warning on every pack of cigarettes. "Should lawsuits be thrown out against cigarette companies if the person took up smoking AFTER the warning was put on cigarette packs? Does free choice mean that society should not have to pay if that choice is known to cause cancer?

Answer 1

This paradox has two variables, firstly the free-will of the people and secondarily the business development by the manufacturer. Undoubtedly, the manufacturer's instructions on the label clearly state that smoking causes cancer which can be lethal. However, people often smoke and tend to avoid such warnings. In this regard, the lawsuit cannot blame the manufacturer for hiding any potential deleterious information, neither can be the consumer.

However, the lawsuit can be enforced by constructing some guidelines for sale and purchase of these goods. A common practice would demonstrate that eligible persons for sale and purchase of tobacco or smoking agents must be aging at least 18-20 years. This will ensure that only well-informed adults will be purchasing/selling these products which can be enlightened with the lethal information.

Secondarily, the government should hike the prices for such goods so that an economical burden might tend to avoid the sale/purchase of such goods.