mirozYou're missing my point, to some extent. Cigarettes are well known to increase the likelihood of cancer. Because carcinogenesis is a statistical phenomenon, just one cigarette (one puff, even) could be the cause of lung cancer. That said, when people (who knew the risks of smoking) arrive at a hospital with lung cancer but can't afford treatment, they're going to be treated, and someone will have to pay for it. In my understanding, ultimately the hospital eats that cost and then turns around it balances it by charging an arm and a leg for other procedures - making the healthcare that nonsmokers need more expensive.
I brought PM into it because perhaps they should help cover the unavoidable costs their product creates as opposed to having them passed onto other people.
By contrast, liver cirrhosis is caused by prolonged drinking, not a statistical effect that could take place with one beer. Though addictive, its danger is mostly in its excessive use...and everyone knows that anything in excess, even water, is harmful.
I get what you are saying, but I think it is not the companies responsibility if a consumer abuses their product, it is the consumers fault.
Processed sugar rich food is well known to increase the likelihood of obesity, which leads to many expensive health problems. Most of these obese people are not going to pay for their medical expenses. Yet, we don't impose ridiculous taxes on Food corporations, or criticize others for eating this way, in fact there are social movements that argue it is okay to be obese, and even glorify it. Lung cancer is caused by prolonged smoking, just as obesity is, by a constant unhealthy diet. Eating some fried chicken, or smoking a cigarette occasionally when you are at the bars is going to cause no harm.
I knew someone obese who lectured me one time about smoking cigs (which is pretty rare), who showed up to work every day with a fucking McMuffin and 24Oz soda. It wasn't that she didn't make enough to afford good food, or was uneducated, she was getting paid roughly 70k a year, and had a
medical degree. She was just too fucking lazy to change her habits, and it showed in her work patterns. Her excuse for not showing up to work one day, without notice, was that "she ate a whole pizza and was not didn't feel well"!! in the morning !! Seriously what was she expecting to feel like after eating that much shit, a whole pizza in the morning, what the hell is wrong with people?
People need to learn to eat a balanced diet, say more active, exercise a few times a week, and cut back on unhealthy activities. If you are fucked up because you smoke two packs of cigs a day, and only eat McDonald's, that's your own goddamn fault. Quit feeling sorry for yourself and blaming others for the problems you created. Fix them yourself.
