Tobacco Stuff :: essays research papers fc

The tobacco plant Issue The Tobacco Issue Where the Responsibility Lies Political-Legal Issues The legal and political issues contact the tobacco industry include whether or non tobacco companies should be held liable for tobacco-related expirys of smokers and those related to second-hand smoke, as well as whether or not elected officials should be accepting money from the tobacco industry in order to win elections. When deciding where the responsibility lies in the case of tobacco, the facts peck be turned to favor either side on the issue. However, the tobacco industry has followed the governments guidelines, since guidelines have been established, while the government seems to necessitate to place blame for peoples habits on the manufacturers of products that people choose to use.Tobacco litigation The first issue to examine is the issue surrounding the use of the juridical system in finding responsibility for the epidemic surrounding the tobacco industry. The tobacco ind ustry is the defendant in the majority of cases brought before the judicature and, historically, the majority of the cases have been decided in favor of the industry. In a landmark case in 1988, the tobacco industry won a huge victory against Rose Cipollone. Ms. Cipollone died a horribly painful death from cancer. The defendant in the case was Philip Morris. Philip Morris council argued that it was the cleaning ladys choice to smoke. This woman had even testified that she had gone to church every Sunday to pray that she would not get lung cancer. She knew the risks involved with smoking and chose to continue smoking. Philip Morris won the case. (Byrne, 189-190). For years the tobacco industry won case after case involving cancer victims that had smoked. however today, much of the litigation by smokers has been decided in favor of the industry. In July of 1999 the Louisiana District Court, 19th District decided the case of Robert Gilboy et al. V. The American Tobacco Co., et al. in favor of the defense force. The jury was not convinced that 45 years of smoking had caused Mr. Gilboys lung cancer. In the case of the Estate of burl Butler, et al. V. Philip Morris, Inc., et al., the Jones County, Mississippi Circuit Court, 2nd District jury found the tobacco industry defendants not liable for the alleged second-hand smoke related improper death of Mr. Butler. This case was decided in June of 1999. An important win for the defense was gained in Kansas City, Missouri in May of 1999.