In recent years, controversy has raged over the negative effects
of tobacco use, especially cigarette smoking. Most are familiar
with a court ruling some years ago that resulted in big tobacco
companies having to pay billions of dollars in damages. This
money went into a fund benefitting smokers who have been
diagnosed with lung cancer. Further lawsuits followed. This
would have been a fair and just ruling, if the risks associated
with cigarette smoking had not been public knowledge for
decades. The plaintiffs knew they were subjecting their bodies
to something harmful and potentially fatal. However, only when
offered the opportunity to capitalize on the results of their
irresponsible actions were they motivated to even appear to take
a stand. The problem is not only the blatant hypocrisy of the
plaintiffs, but also the tobacco industry’s avoidance of harsh
realities. These very profitable companies maintain a “smoke
screen” of politically correct, user-friendly ad campaigns
supporting this or that noble caus