Tobacco companies benefit from failure of information - most people are unaware of the devastating effects of secondhand smoke, to which scientific consensus concludes there is no safe level of exposure.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Market Failure: Secondhand Smoke Kills 600,000
A new study released by scientists at the World Health Organization concludes that approximately 603,000 people are killed annually by involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke. This means that about 1% of deaths globally result from markets' failure to account for the negative externalities of tobacco companies on non-smokers. This doesn't include the 5.1 million deaths caused by smoking itself.
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6 comments:
This is a clear sign of where material gains are clouding government responsibility worldwide. Governments have a duty to regulate markets when they fail or are harmful to the economy and population. Therefore blocking the production and sales of harmful substances that have no benefits also fall under their jurisdiction and cigarettes clearly apply.
i read an article that NYC has had a problem with a recent blackmarket for cigarettes. In NYC a pack cost between 11-14$, this is NY's pegovian tax but it has only caused a illegal sale of out of state cigarettes. This shows the problems with trying to curb people consumption of cigarettes.
Although I agree that something should be done about the negative externalities of secondhand smoke, it is hard to imagine a solution to the problem. As Scott mentioned, sometimes attempts at dealing with negative externalities only create more. In my opinion, it will be very hard to find a compromise that is acceptable to both smokers and non-smokers that allows for the least amount of negative externalities overall.
I not sure what do you mean by most people are unaware of the devastating effects of secondhand smoke. Do you mean the smokers or ones that suffer from secondhand smoke. Either way, I think most people know that cigarettes are bad and smoking cigarettes might get you lung cancer.
Smokers ignore the negative effects of cigarettes because it reduces stress and help them maintain their weight and it's their choice. Those who dont smoke should avoid smokers and that is the best way. I dont see tobacco companies, whether benefit or not from failure of information, is relevant to the topic at all. By the way, I think you mean 5.1 million deaths, not billions
What I mean is that most people think secondhand smoke "isn't a big deal" because most of the harmful effects take place gradually in small amounts over a long period of time. But the short-term and long-term consequences are nonetheless devastating, as this article indicates by pointing out that more than 1 out of 100 people worldwide die from secondhand smoke. It's an information failure that most people don't know this and that tobacco companies profit as a result.
The idea that smoking relieves stress is, to a certain extent, an information failure because although it is true that the illusion of stress relief results from tobacco consumption, this is the product of a chemical reaction in the brain. In the long run, smoking actually causes more stress on the body through the direct effects on physical health - not just the statistical loss of 13.2-14.5 years of life, but more immediate stressors such as more difficulty breathing, higher blood pressure, less energy and endurance, a weaker immune system, and the struggle of addiction.
I don't think that non-smokers should avoid smokers, but I would agree that everyone should just do their best to avoid secondhand smoke. Smoke-free environments are the only way to ensure that those who want to avoid being exposed to cigarette smoke have the opportunity to do so.
I definitely meant millions, not billions. Thanks for pointing that out - I have corrected the post accordingly.
Most people know cigarettes are bad and can cause a lot of different health issues. The fact is: the cigarette industry is a billion dollar industry and millions of people of employed in it. Trying to decrease cigarette sales or negatively effect millions of peoples jobs. I don't see there being a failure of information. People know the effects (that's why they got rid of smoking in businesses and restaurants). They can't completely get rid of smoking because of the billions of people that are addicted. Whether it is legally or illegally people will sell cigarettes and smoke them. U.S. might as well sell them legally and gain the tax money.
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