Analysis of the Ban on Tobacco Ads by the Government of India
It is widely known that tobacco is hazardous to one’s health, but it begs the question ‘what role does government play in protecting its citizens from such a product?’ This was a question that the Government of India (GOI) set out to resolve. In 2001, the GOI implemented a ban on tobacco advertising, as well as tobacco companies’ ability to sponsor public events, in hopes that youth would be deterred from using tobacco products (Ban on, n.d.). This ban sparked controversy and debate on the ethical implications of such a ban. The ban was not unique to India, as several other countries had already successfully implemented such a ban, with positive results. However, that did not …show more content…
Advertising has been simply part of the business world and the ban in India wouldn’t prevent overseas companies from influencing the country’s citizens. They alleged that several research studies were performed and the results indicated that there was no connection between advertising and people’s desire to smoke (Ban on, n.d.) Opponents focused on the economic impact that the industry had in the country, since “the tobacco industry was a large contributor to the State Exchequer.” (Ban on, n.d., p. 4) In addition to the revenue generated, 26 million people were directly or indirectly employed by the tobacco industry. Opponents feared that the ban would have an adverse effect on the country’s employment …show more content…
Personal freedoms should only be guaranteed when they do not affect others. That is simply not the case with tobacco usage. The health and well-being of others can be affected by second-hand smoke. The cost of health care is driven up by the illnesses caused by tobacco, therefore this is not an individualized issue. A government is meant to be the voice of the people, therefore they must step in and take action based on the good of the majority. I do believe that government had a duty to restrict and control the tobacco industry. However, the government should take a diplomatic approach, and have citizen lead committees to make the regulations. Ethical standards play a vital role in decisions. The pros and cons of all major decisions, rules or regulations must be examined before moving forward. In the case of the tobacco ad ban, the Government of India felt that the pros of the ban, heavily outweighed the cons, as did many other
It is widely known that tobacco is hazardous to one’s health, but it begs the question ‘what role does government play in protecting its citizens from such a product?’ This was a question that the Government of India (GOI) set out to resolve. In 2001, the GOI implemented a ban on tobacco advertising, as well as tobacco companies’ ability to sponsor public events, in hopes that youth would be deterred from using tobacco products (Ban on, n.d.). This ban sparked controversy and debate on the ethical implications of such a ban. The ban was not unique to India, as several other countries had already successfully implemented such a ban, with positive results. However, that did not …show more content…
Advertising has been simply part of the business world and the ban in India wouldn’t prevent overseas companies from influencing the country’s citizens. They alleged that several research studies were performed and the results indicated that there was no connection between advertising and people’s desire to smoke (Ban on, n.d.) Opponents focused on the economic impact that the industry had in the country, since “the tobacco industry was a large contributor to the State Exchequer.” (Ban on, n.d., p. 4) In addition to the revenue generated, 26 million people were directly or indirectly employed by the tobacco industry. Opponents feared that the ban would have an adverse effect on the country’s employment …show more content…
Personal freedoms should only be guaranteed when they do not affect others. That is simply not the case with tobacco usage. The health and well-being of others can be affected by second-hand smoke. The cost of health care is driven up by the illnesses caused by tobacco, therefore this is not an individualized issue. A government is meant to be the voice of the people, therefore they must step in and take action based on the good of the majority. I do believe that government had a duty to restrict and control the tobacco industry. However, the government should take a diplomatic approach, and have citizen lead committees to make the regulations. Ethical standards play a vital role in decisions. The pros and cons of all major decisions, rules or regulations must be examined before moving forward. In the case of the tobacco ad ban, the Government of India felt that the pros of the ban, heavily outweighed the cons, as did many other