Lawsuits Against Big Tobacco
Justified or Not?
Abstract
Since the first major lawsuit settled against tobacco companies in 1998, there has been much controversy over whether or not these lawsuits are justified. On the pro side of the argument there is much evidence to support that the tobacco industries have long known about the dangers of cigarette smoking. Furthermore that this knowledge warrants the need for compensation. In addition the industry has concealed this knowledge from the public. On the con side of the argument evidence shows that these lawsuits have been based on false claims primarily in regard to health care costs for smokers. Furthermore, the regulations set by the settlement of the 1998 multistate lawsuit have established a legal president which allows individuals to avoid their personal responsibilities. Lawsuits Against Big Tobacco Justified or Not? On the pro side, "Lawsuits Against Tobacco Companies Are Justified" by Greenhaven Press is a paper arguing that lawsuits against the tobacco industry are justified due to the fact that tobacco companies have knowingly damaged public health. On the con side, "Lawsuits Against Tobacco Companies Are Not Justified" also by Greenhaven Press is a paper arguing that lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers for the monetary recovery of health damages are not justified due to the fact that these lawsuits are setting a legal precedent with the effect of legislation. Although both papers were edited by the same individual and published by the same company, they are completely opposite in their point of view. On the pro side, the paper makes multiple assumptions in regard to the tobacco companies being, for lack of a better word, evil. Consequently, the lawsuits are righteous. The paper addresses the issue of how Big Tobacco knowingly withheld facts regarding the health issues related to smoking. The paper states, "Industry documents show that the companies were aware of the link between smoking and lung cancer prior to the first surgeon-general
Since the first major lawsuit settled against tobacco companies in 1998, there has been much controversy over whether or not these lawsuits are justified. On the pro side of the argument there is much evidence to support that the tobacco industries have long known about the dangers of cigarette smoking. Furthermore that this knowledge warrants the need for compensation. In addition the industry has concealed this knowledge from the public. On the con side of the argument evidence shows that these lawsuits have been based on false claims primarily in regard to health care costs for smokers. Furthermore, the regulations set by the settlement of the 1998 multistate lawsuit have established a legal president which allows individuals to avoid their personal responsibilities. Lawsuits Against Big Tobacco Justified or Not? On the pro side, "Lawsuits Against Tobacco Companies Are Justified" by Greenhaven Press is a paper arguing that lawsuits against the tobacco industry are justified due to the fact that tobacco companies have knowingly damaged public health. On the con side, "Lawsuits Against Tobacco Companies Are Not Justified" also by Greenhaven Press is a paper arguing that lawsuits against cigarette manufacturers for the monetary recovery of health damages are not justified due to the fact that these lawsuits are setting a legal precedent with the effect of legislation. Although both papers were edited by the same individual and published by the same company, they are completely opposite in their point of view. On the pro side, the paper makes multiple assumptions in regard to the tobacco companies being, for lack of a better word, evil. Consequently, the lawsuits are righteous. The paper addresses the issue of how Big Tobacco knowingly withheld facts regarding the health issues related to smoking. The paper states, "Industry documents show that the companies were aware of the link between smoking and lung cancer prior to the first surgeon-general
References: About Greenhaven. Retrieved October 14, 2005 from http://galegroup.com/greenhave/about.htm "Lawsuits Against Tobacco Companies Are Justified." Smoking. James D. Torr, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints Digests® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 12 October 2005 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC "Lawsuits Against Tobacco Companies Are Not Justified." Smoking. James D. Torr, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints Digests® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale. 12 October 2005 http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC