Cigarettes Ada Ellisman, Bryan Gibson, & Evie White
Problems Smoking can cause cancer in various parts in the human body. It affects nearly every organ and the person s well being It increases the risk of: Strokes by 2 to 4 times Heart Disease by 2 to 4 times Of men developing lung cancer by 25 times Of women developing lung cancer by 25.7 times
How It Affects the Environment The American tobacco industry was responsible for about 16 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents It is estimated that 27 million pounds of pesticides are being sprayed onto tobacco fields each year in America Annually about 1.69 billion cigarettes butts are littered each year
Economics In 2014, tobacco companies spent 9 billion dollars on marketing, which is equivalent to $25 million every day. This advertising includes things such as magazine ads, distribution of cigarette samples or coupons for free samples, ads posted in retail stores, etc. Tobacco companies donate millions of dollars to different organizations to hopefully promote their own agendas. These charities are usually involved in politics. Tobacco company s donations added up to nearly $50 million during the 2012 election cycle, almost exclusively on negative advertising. During this election, Americans for prosperity accepted a $50,000 donation from Reynolds American s. Federal records show that Americans for Prosperity alone sponsored more than $33 million in attack ads that directly targeted President Barack Obama.
Past Solutions Starting in 1998, a $206 billion dollar settlement was enacted which made major tobacco companies like, Philip Morris, pay for advertising campaigns to educate consumers about the dangers of tobacco. In the United States cigarettes are taxed at both the federal and state levels making cigarette prices high. If under Obamacare, smokers can be charged up to 50% more for their premiums. This is due to a tobacco surcharge. Under any other insurer, expect to pay 15-20% higher premiums
Statistics Cigarettes in the USA are the number one preventable cause of death & they cause over 480,000 deaths per year which is about 1 in every 5 deaths. 90% of lung cancer deaths are the result of smoking. Smoking cigarettes causes 80% of death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Tobacco kills nearly 50% of its users. Exposure to secondhand smoke causes around 600,000 deaths in America and 1 in 3 are children. Tobacco companies spent over $9 billion advertising cigarettes in 2014.
Controversies Cigarette companies get taxed a lot of money, this tax amount is determined by the state you are in. First 5 California is a program that supports and promotes education, health services, and child care. Ironically, they receive their money from cigarette taxes. The average taxe on a pack of cigarettes is $2.29. Since so many people smoke cigarettes and the tobacco industry is so successful, the economy would struggle without them.
Solutions Spreading the knowledge of the risks of smoking to the youth Start enforcing a no drugs policy at workplaces and schools To try to stop the social influence tobacco has in society To know about how the tobacco industry has manipulated cigarettes to better by adding additives
Our Opinion We know that cigarette companies are contributing immensely to the American economy by donating money to various charities, but this is usually offset by the high prices that comes with smoking. Not only does smoking affect the body, but it also affects the chemical makeup of the atmosphere, by releasing 16 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Smoking also comes at a steep cost for both the addicted and the non-smokers. With taxes as high as 50% and increased health care costs, we are left with the question, why do people continue to smoke?
Questions 1. What percent of lung cancer deaths are the result smoking cigarettes? 2. Are cigarettes the number one cause of preventable death? 3. How much was the settlement for in 1998 that made tobacco companies pay for advertising? A)208 billion B)206 million C)206 billion D)300 billion 4. Are cigarettes taxed at federal level, state level, or both. 5. What percent can cigarettes increase your premiums, while under Obamacare? A) 60% B)50% C)20% D)35%
Work Cited "Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 01 Dec. 2016. Web. 10 Mar. 2017. "Tobacco Statistics & Facts." ASH. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2017. Aspa. "Tobacco Facts and Figures." Facts About Smoking and Tobacco Use Be Tobacco Free.gov. Department of Health and Human Services, 20 Aug. 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2017. "Economic Trends in Tobacco." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 03 Mar. 2017. Web. 10 Mar. 2017. Tønnesen, P. "How to Reduce Smoking among Teenagers." European Respiratory Journal. European Respiratory Society, 01 Jan. 2002. Web. 10 Mar. 2017. "Fact Sheet: Environmental Impact of Tobacco March 2013." Www.pdx.edu. N.p., Mar. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.