Essay on 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†¦show more content†¦The money spent by the government for Medicaid, in my opinion, has already been paid for. The real victims would be those who have had the illnesses or who have died as a direct result of smoking. However, only if those victims b egan smoking before the effects were brought to the publics attention. For both the pro and con sides these facts are presented in order to support each papers opinions. One opinion of the pro side is that the market of cigarettes is a market for disease and death. At one point the paper states, Outrage at an industry that has made billions selling sickness and death the paper enforces this opinion later by saying, For decades, Big Tobacco has made a profit by selling the instruments of disease and death. Another opinion is that tobacco industries are the only companies that manufacture a product which causes serious illness and kills. The pro side quotes Edward L. Kaven, author of Smoking: The Story Behind the Maze as saying, the only industry which produces a consumer product that is likely to kill and render human beings seriously ill when used as intended. I believe that these opinions are exaggerated ones. 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