The struggle between Government, business and society is starting a new round. The FDA is proposing that cigarette companies dedicate 50% of their packaging real estate to grotesque images that is reminiscent of anti-abortion imagery.
My personal belief is that smoking is a harmful habit and it is dangerous to our health. But it’s legal in our country and therefore companies have the right to manufacture, fairly market and sell their product to people who make the choice to consume it. I’m a supporter of anti-smoking campaigns that are conducted by other special interest groups like “the truth” but I’m not a supporter of Government dictating companies to counter-market their own products.
Will this set a precedent to place images of morbidly obese people on cheeseburger wrappers or Kellogg’s cereal boxes? How about horrific crash scenes on beer bottles?
Will the Government allow us to market only products they like regardless to their impact to our health? Or will it nurture a community of free choice and personal responsibility?
Read more about the proposal at AdAge.
