Pubdate: Sun, 13 Aug 2000
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2000, The Tribune Co.
Contact:  http://www.tampatrib.com/
Forum: http://tampabayonline.net/interact/welcome.htm
Section: Commentary page 3
Author: John Chase, Palm Harbor

DEFINING THE REAL DANGERS OF SMOKING

Whiff Flora's Aug. 6 Commentary "The burning question" asked how the Miami 
jury could have been ignorant of expressions like "coffin nails" and 
"cancer sticks." He said the real danger was emboldened plaintiffs' 
attorneys gunning for more benign industries. I disagree on both counts. I 
think the jury's only ignorance was of the cultural history of popular 
drugs, and that the real danger lies in demonizing yet another one.

I suspect the jury believed the public has long known the risks of smoking, 
Most important the jury knew that the tobacco CEOs knew. The jury acted in 
anger and fear: anger at the harmful, selfish motives of tobacco CEOs of 
the 20th century and fear of what tobacco CEOs of the 21st century might do.

This award - even after it is reduced on appeal - will lead to higher 
prices, already rising sharply in response to recent legislation and damage 
awards. Soon we will have small plots of contraband tobacco hidden to avoid 
paying the crushing taxes and punitive judgments levied against the 
now-shrinking "legal" tobacco companies. When the demonization is complete, 
tobacco will be outlawed and tax revenue will dry up. Then we will dig deep 
to find billions for eradication, "stings" of smokers buying tobacco on the 
street, tobacco testing as a condition of employment, Prosecuting wives and 
girlfriends on tobacco conspiracy charges, new prisons and tobacco 
awareness resistance education classes taught to our children by law 
enforcement officers. This is the real danger.
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