You Are What You Inhale: The Ethics of Tobacco Companies

Above, one of the new FDA images is displayed. Do you believe that tobacco companies should take it upon themselves to inform consumers about the adverse effects of tobacco use? Ethically, should'  companies strive to care for their clientele?

         When one thinks of ethics in regard to the food and tobacco industry, money laundering, and market manipulation do not often come to mind. However, with respect to ethical industries in the food and tobacco markets, product safety, ingredients and other substance matters do come to mind. As the cliché is often quoted, “you are what you eat,” or, with respect to the tobacco industry, “you are what you inhale,” it is important for individuals to be informed about the ingredients that are involved in creating said products. Also, consumers must understand the correlation between tobacco safety, as well as health information, in regard to ethics of said companies. Ethical challenges within the tobacco industry arise from the lack of concern that these companies have in regard to the usage of said products and the health of tobacco consumers. In current times, the tobacco industry has illustrated the ethical challenges which are present in its specific industry. As a whole, the tobacco industry has been facing an ethical dilemma conceding the information it provides to consumers on the ill effects of tobacco usage. 

           The industry’s ability to notify individuals of the products they are consuming, and how they can detrimentally affect the health of the users, is one of the most important ethical issues tobacco companies face. In current times, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, is requiring companies, within the tobacco industry, to place graphic pictures (seen above) and warning labels on tobacco products by the year 2012. According to the Wall Street Journal, “stem from a 2009 law that gave the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco." Although these images are to be required by next year, the tobacco industry has faced the federal government with steep opposition to said regulations. Five of the nation’s major tobacco companies have taken the federal government to court, stating that said labels violate their freedom of speech and the First Amendment to the United States constitution. While this debate is worked out in the district courts of the nation, one must address the ethical challenges that accompany the tobacco industry. Although said companies are not participating in illegal activities, is it not the responsibility of tobacco producers to warn consumers of the adverse health effects that accompany tobacco use? Ethically, producers should be morally bound to inform consumers about their products, even if the government does not mandate such action. A moral, and ethical, corporation would allow its consumers to understand the products that they are utilizing and, in this case, consuming. Although said strategy may hinder the company’s market share, they will at least be providing consumers with the truth about their products.

            As the federal government and tobacco companies advance their disagreement into court, millions of individuals will continue to consume toxic chemicals each and every day. It should be the responsibility of tobacco companies to inform consumers, especially young consumers, about the harmful effects that tobacco has on individuals. Private enterprise should not rely on the federal government to regulate ethics and morality; it should be the responsibility of the free market to participate, and lead, said actions.

Information on Heinz was provided by The Wall Street Journal’s Jennifer Dooren and can be accessed at: http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110921-714003.html