Analyzing the Tobacco Debate: Policy Players and Long-Term Effects

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of the ongoing tobacco debate, exploring the roles and influence of key policy players such as the American Lung Association and Philip Morris International. It examines their values, strategies to sway elected officials, and the economic implications of tobacco production and taxation. The essay delves into the arguments surrounding public policy, including Jonathan Turley's perspective on the courts' suitability for debating such issues. Furthermore, it assesses the long-term effects of policy changes related to tobacco, encompassing both health consequences and economic impacts. The paper utilizes assigned readings and outside research to support its arguments, offering a nuanced understanding of this complex and enduring debate. The essay also highlights the historical context, from World War II to the present day, and includes a discussion of controversies surrounding tobacco marketing and the rise of e-cigarettes.

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THE TOBACCO DEBATE
For a long time there has been a conflict between tobacco industries and the health
community. The tobacco industries have been working under the oversight of the FDA to
produce tobacco products that are substantially better, but the health community argues that no
matter how it is packed it will still be harmful to health. Cigarette smoke is linked to a number of
health problems including lung and throat cancer and is believed to be the leading cause of
preventable death in America (Singh 1). The debate has been going on for years and a number of
policy players have played a role in the debate.
During the World War II, tobacco companies would provide free cigarettes to soldiers. By
the 1940’s it had become a main source for government revenue and was highly publicized
through advertisements.In the early 1950’s tobacco smoke was linked to several types of cancer,
and its revenue begun dropping. This emphasis was carried out through the 60’s with extensive
research being carried out to determine the relationship between cigarette smoke and cancer
(Salgado and Glantz 45). The first warning labels were introduced in 1965 and by 1975 the army
had stopped providing free cigarettes to its members. Smoking was then banned in domestic
flights in the 90’s. The popularity of cigarette smoking had reduced by the 2000’s as people
became more aware of the dangers this habit caused. Cigarette producing factories have in the
past been sued for false advertising or failing to highlight the dangers of using their products.

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One of the major policy players when it came to the tobacco debate was the American lung
association. It is a voluntary health organization that works to save lives through improving lung
health. With the discovered link between cigarette smoke and lung cancer it is no surprise that
they are against tobacco companies. They strongly advocate for the reduction of tobacco due to
its relation to lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is currently the leading cause of preventable death
among Americans. They have been involved in anti- smoking campaigns such as one to help
teenagers stop the use of e- cigarettes, which has led to the successful ban of e- cigarettes and
vaping in the states of New York and Michigan The association recommends policies to the state
and federal government on effective laws which will control the use of tobacco so as to save
lives. The policies are made with the aim of preventing disease associated with tobacco use. A
report is made annually to assess the success of different states in controlling the use of tobacco.
Policy makers and people in power are responsible for ensuring that the policies they make serve
the best interest of the citizens and this is one strategy that the American Lung Association are
uses this to influence the decision of elected officials.
The American Lung Association evaluates the actions taken by different states towards the
reduction of tobacco use. They also encourage the general public as well as the press to help in
this campaign (Griffith 102).
Another main policy player is the Philip Morris International. This company is a major
cigarette and tobacco company in America. It sells its products to more than 100 countries
around the world. They produce six brands of cigarettes including long beach, Marlboro, ST
DuPont Paris and U mild. Since tobacco is a highly addictive substance, the company has been
involved in a lot of controversies, with critics siting that they play a role in contributing to the
epidemic of lung cancer. The controversies include marketing of cigarettes in the 60’s targeting

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women by advertising that they could help with weight loss control, to the marketing of e-
cigarettes and vapes which attracted teens and young adults. However, the company plays its role
in contributing to the American economy.
Tobacco farming is a practice that is gaining popularity with crop farmers. Because there are
no subsidies for growing of the crop then fmore profit is gotten by the farmer compared to when
they grow traditional crops (Benson 42). The availability of companies like the Philip Morris
International ensures that such farmers stay in business and are able to support themselves
financial. Over 90% of the tobacco that is produced in America is used locally. Most of it is sold
to companies and used to produce cigarettes, while the rest is used for snuff, cigars, pipes and
chewing. The profit from tobacco business does not just help farmers. Cigarettes are taxed in
every state. The average tax of cigarettes is about thirty seven cents per pack. States use the
revenue they get from cigarette taxation to fund public school systems. They also provide
employment to over 77,000 people.
Jonathan Turley argued that the court was not the best place to discuss public policy. Public
policy is a guide used by the executive branches of a state in a way that is consistent with the
law. It relies on actions that are defined by the constitution. It is meant to solve problems
effectively and encourage public participation (Barlett 1020). It involves the entire process of
policy making, including the decision making and analysis of the decision made. The process of
policy making is long, involving identification of a problem, formulation of proposals,
legitimization of the public policy, implementation and evaluation of the implemented policy.
Courts are not the best place to discuss evidence based policy because it does not involve
sourcing opinion from the public (Swanson 869). A public policy is meant to serve at the best
interest of the citizen thus requires the opinion of more than one group of people. It main aim is

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usually to solve a societal problem, coming up with a solution that will be used at the present
time and in the future.
The tobacco debate has been happening for a long time and may not stop soon. Both the
people who are for tobacco use and those that are against provide evidence that support their
decisions and both contribute both positively to the country.

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Work Cited
Barlett, Peggy F. "Peter Benson, Tobacco Capitalism: Growers, Migrant Workers, and the
Changing Face of a Global Industry. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2012." Comparative
Studies in Society and History, vol. 55, no. 4, 2013, pp. 1019-10
Salgado, M. V., and S. A. Glantz. "Direct disease-inducing effects of menthol through the
eyes of tobacco companies." Tobacco Control, vol. 20, no. Supplement 2, 2011, pp. ii44-ii48.
Singh, Virendra. "Tobacco use among medical students and surrogate control of tobacco in
India." Lung India, vol. 28, no. 1, 2011, p. 1.
Swanson, Drew A. "Tobacco Capitalism: Growers, Migrant Workers, and the Changing Face of
a Global Industry. ByPeter Benson. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2012. xiv + 323 pp.
Illustrations, maps, bibliography, references, index. Cloth, $75.00; paper, $27.95. ISBN: cloth,
978-06-91-14919-6; paper, 978-0691-14920-" Business History Review, vol. 86, no. 4, 2012,
pp. 868-870.