Ironically, heavy smoking generates considerable economic
benefits to some, and heavy smokers bring large amounts of
money into state coffers -- truly large amounts of money --
in the form of health-care savings because of the premature
death that results from heavy smoking.
A shocking report recently written by Philip Morris, the
world's biggest cigarette manufacturer, reveals highly
disturbing data: "The death of cigarette smokers at a young
age has economic advantages as well. These smokers save the
state extensive funds due to the fact that they do not
require state-supported health services provided to the
aging and the elderly."
The report, which was sent to the Czech government, reveals
that the death of smokers at a young age, before they reach
the age that requires medical assistance and nursing care
for the elderly, saved the Czech Republic $147 million in
1997.
The report, title "Profits and Losses," placed savings
resulting from smoking alongside the loss of tax income and
the cost of caring for smokers before their deaths. The
final, appalling results were that considerable income was
generated for the state.
Following the release of the report, the Philip Morris
Company said this is one of the most distressing advantages
of smoking. "The study was part of an ongoing dispute
regarding the economic repercussions of smoking and the
Czech Republic's policy on cigarette taxes." The company
spokesman claims, "Even if it is true, it is frightening to
base a policy on such logic."
The enormous company employs 178,000 workers in over 150
different countries. In the Czech Republic alone, Philip
Morris manufactures 80% of the cigarettes consumed there.
Tobacco industry opponents attacked the ghastly report,
stressing the fact that the advantages governments receive
from heavy smoking involve the loss of human lives. The
chairman of the Tobacco Manufacturers Association, Richard
Deinard, said in his press release, "You don't see other
companies that do this...? This is not the normal way we
think about the lives of citizens."
Meanwhile in Canada the government is doing everything in
its power to stop smoking and to raise the life expectancy
of its citizens. Pictures and anti-smoking ads already
appear on the side of cigarette packs in the country. A new
law passed by the Canadian government requires cigarette
manufacturers to use packaging that is at least half covered
with warnings against smoking. Four items must be included
on the packaging: diseases, addiction, passive smoke, and
children.
Among the 16 warnings the Canadian Health Ministry chose to
present to the public regarding health damage caused by
smoking are several very graphic images. A caption reading,
"Smoking causes lung cancer," appears under a picture of two
lungs consumed by malignant growths. The sentence,
"Cigarettes causes cancer inside the oral cavity" is
accompanied by a repulsive picture of bleeding gums
"decorating" the pack of poison.
