As someone who used tobacco in several forms for more than thirty years, I ascribe to the personal responsibility position posited by some here.
I very much opposed the lawsuits against the tobacco industry of several years ago on the basis that the effects of smoking have been known for more
than a hundred years and that those effects have been universally accepted for at least a quarter century and also because I knew that the only people
who would benefit substantially from such lawsuits were the attorneys.
I also know that the tobacco industry for decades conspired to make cigarettes more addictive and hid their knowledge of the ill effects of their
product for as long as they could get away with it.
For myself, I'm just very glad that after all those years of tobacco use, I was finally able to overcome my addiction and even more happy that I have
so far not suffered any permanent or long-term ill effects from my use of these products.
Yes, the woman in the video was responsible for her addiction to tobacco and ultimately for her own death, but that is not the important message in
the film.
The real message is what tobacco can do to those who are addicted, even when they call that addiction a choice.
Almost everyone who smokes, smokes by choice. What they don't do by choice is to become addicted.
When I talk to young people about their habit, addiction to tobacco is always something that happens to others. They always tell me that they can
quit anytime they so choose.
Listening to the rationalizations of smokers is almost endlessly edifying. I used to say the same things and it took me more than thirty years to
really quit.
I was fortunate, but the lady in the film and millions of others are not so fortunate. Her death was agonizing for her and the ones who loved her.
That's really the only point I have to make.
If you choose to smoke, smoke. Just do it in such a manner that you don't harm others with your choice.
Tobacco Industry Quotes
[edit on 2009/1/27 by GradyPhilpott]