Tobacco Suits: I Lit Up, Now You Pay Up

Posting Date: 07/08/1999

I used to attack the tobacco industry when it was unpopular to do so. I called cigarette manufacturers murderers and questioned how they could make a product that kills people.

Well, we?ve come a long way. Most of us know the dangers of smoking and can make an informed choice on whether to light up. This is why I don?t understand all the suits being filed against the industry by people blaming cigarettes for their illnesses.

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For one thing, how can a jury determine if a disease is caused by smoking tobacco? There are people who get lung cancer or respiratory problems who have never smoked.

We know smoking is bad for you, but tobacco is a legal product and people have the right to smoke. The question is: If you decide to smoke, then shouldn?t you also take some personal responsibility for the outcome?

In the most recent class-action suit in Florida, five tobacco companies and two research groups have been found guilty of conspiring to mislead consumers about the dangers of smoking. The jury must now decide whether the tobacco companies should pay $200 billion sought by attorneys for people claiming to have developed diseases from smoking.

I agree with the Cato Institute, which says the Miami jury may be sending consumers the wrong message. If it finds the industry liable for $200 billion, that tells us we can engage in risky behavior, and if a problem results from our choice, we can sue someone.

I?ve said this before, these legal actions against the tobacco industry are only the beginning. Once the lawyers get done there, they?ll turn to the alcohol industry for causing diseases. After that, it will be the dairy industry.

What I?m saying is cause and effect can?t always be proved. Many substances are bad for us, but proving that they?re responsible for a specific disease is nearly impossible.

If we say cigarettes are bad for us, so we can sue, what does this say about way we make choices and assume the consequences for our actions?