Hardly Excessive For The Harm Done They Will Survive Exports And Other Products Assure Profits.

Last week, in a landmark decision, a Florida jury ordered five cigarette makers to pay a record $145 billion to sick smokers.

This is a fair judgment. The tobacco companies should be punished for concealing the addictive nature and health risks of their products. They knowingly sell a drug that is highly addictive and often deadly. Tobacco naturally has nicotine, and some tobacco companies knowingly added more. Nicotine is said to be more addictive than any other substance. Cigarettes, in essence, amount to being a “nicotine delivery device.” The tobacco companies should face a sizable judgment to hold them accountable.

Yes, it is legal to sell tobacco. But just because it is legal does not make it right. Cigarette makers glamorized smoking through Hollywood, television, even the military. Cigarettes used to be part of every military ration. Cigarettes were a part of adulthood. And cigarettes were cheap.

In 1953, experiments with mice at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City demonstrated that over half the animals developed malignant tumors after tar from cigarette smoke was spread on their backs. The tobacco industry quickly shot back with full-page ads in over 400 newspapers casting doubt on the experiments. They knew that their product caused cancer but they denied the claim and continued to glamorize tobacco use.

The cigarette companies say they will go bankrupt because of this lawsuit. Who are they fooling? First, under Florida law, a punitive damages verdict cannot put a company out of business. Judges are required to reduce any award that would. Secondly, the sale of cigarettes outside the United States and diversified product lines will leave tobacco companies viable for decades to come.

Most of us know someone who has smoked for decades. A part of their life escapes in a gray cloud with every cigarette. For many smokers, patches, cold turkey and pills don’t work. Sure, they have a choice. Yes, they should stop smoking. But nicotine addiction has invaded their lives.

Anyone picking up the habit today would have to live in a cave to not to know the health risks of smoking. But those who took up the habit before 1963, the year warnings were placed on cigarette packages, were not informed of the grave health risks.

Cigarette makers say this settlement is a “death warrant” to their companies. It is time they take corporate responsibility for deadly ills they have encouraged millions to risk.