The Effects Of The Tobacco Control Act

Submitted By moshek541
Words: 834
Pages: 4
Open Document
In 2009, the Tobacco Control Act was passed, giving the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permission to put restrictions and regulations on sales and advertising by tobacco companies. Under this act, packaging and advertising have a color and design limit, sporting and entertainment events may not be sponsored by tobacco products under their brand name, and cigarettes may not be sold in packages of fewer than 20 cigarettes (Overview… Tobacco Control Act). The act also prohibits advertising that is false or misleading, especially naming the cigarettes “light” or “mild,” which may suggest the cigarettes are less harmful (Overview… Tobacco Control Act). These prohibitions are less problematic. The former regulations mentioned clearly do not comply with Kant’s absolute moral rules and the virtue ethics theory. According to Friedman, It is the manager’s responsibility to do whatever is necessary to maximize profits, regardless of the issues in society (Friedman). The fact that tobacco is harmful to people is not the concern of the company, and by limiting its advertising rights, the government is limiting the company’s ability to create more profit via this medium. Kant’s theory states: “Our duty is to follow rules we could accept as universal laws—that is, rules that we would be willing for everyone to follow in all circumstances” (Rachels 158). The restriction on the minimum number of cigarettes that must be in a pack does not coincide with this ethical principle. Other companies can produce as many versions of their products as they see fit, and tobacco companies should be treated with the same freedom. One of the categorical imperatives is that an action is ethical when if it were to be repeated by all of society it would still be fair (Rachels 130). If the government made a law stating that Tropicana could only package their orange juice in the standard one gallon carton or bottle, would that be considered fair by society? This kind of regulation would impact the people who want to buy the smaller bottles, as well as the company, which makes more profit from being able to sell the same product in 10, 15.2, 32, 64, and 96 oz. bottles. This undoubtedly would be protested by society and would not be accepted as a fair law. Because society would not be willing to accept laws limiting package sizes of products such as Tropicana orange juice, the law restricting cigarette packs with fewer than 20 cigarettes cannot be considered an ethical law.
In addition, the virtue ethics theory believes that ethics are based on moral values that are instilled in a person from their given environment, whether that is a family or a community environment. Under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, advertising is a protected right (Advertising and the First Amendment). The Constitution is essentially a set of values on which this country bases its laws. These constitutional rights are carried out by this countries government, as well as its citizens. The right to advertise is therefore a nationally accepted value, giving it ethical weight. The limitations on tobacco companies’ rights to advertise are unethical in this sense. Virtue ethics also focuses on the fact that being surrounded by a culture that promotes good values can cultivate the habits of good character that will naturally lead them to
Show More

Related Documents: The Effects Of The Tobacco Control Act

Business Ethics In Business

INTRODUCTION Business ethics is a study of moral standards and how these apply to the systems and organizations through which modern societies produce and distribute goods and services, and to the people who work within these organizations. Business ethics, in other words, is a form of applied ethics. It includes not only the analysis of moral norms and moral values, but also attempts to apply the conclusions of this analysis to that assortment of institutions, technologies, transactions, activities…

Words 1543 - Pages 7

Business Ethics

Ghazaleh Tavakolishanjani Business Ethics Professor Peter Sebhatu National University 1. No. The ability to act with rectitude, to refer their policies and plans to a culture of ethics that embraces the most fundamental moral principles of humankind, which serves to legitimize the maximization of shareholder wealth. 2. Yes. These resources may be both tangible and intangible. Shareholders, for ex- ample, supply capital; suppliers offer material resources or intangible knowledge; employees…

Words 314 - Pages 2

Business Ethics

Business Ethics Karl Claudio Composition GE-117 Business ethics is a form of applied ethics or professional ethics that examines ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It applies to all aspects of business conduct and is relevant to the conduct of individuals and entire organizations. The economy these days is at a low point for many consumers in United States. Due to the economy, prices are getting higher, many people’s income is decreasing…

Words 555 - Pages 3

The Importance Of Business Ethics In Business

purpose of business practices that are put in place is to provide the company with approval and favorable expert position among merchants, consumers, and prospective collaborations. These characteristics and having well-known business ethics allow room for the business to grow in many areas such as building working relationships. The positive outcome of these relationships can consist of merchandise prices being lower, consumers being loyal with returning their business, and the business growing from…

Words 727 - Pages 3

Essay on Business Ethics

What is ethics? Ethics can be defined as a set of principles used by an individual to govern his or her decisions in an effort to ensure fairness and equality. Business ethics, as defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is the applied ethics discipline that addresses the moral features of commercial activity. The same source also gives a history of business ethics which states that the concept as an academic principle is relatively young-only about forty years old; but in general is as…

Words 1442 - Pages 6

Business Ethics Essay

Business ethics refers to those values, standards and principles that operate within business (McGraw-Hill Irwin). Business ethics can also be defined as written and unwritten codes of principles and values that govern decisions and actions within a company. In the business world, the company’s culture sets standards for determining the difference between good and bad decision making and behavior. In today's modern business world, the road to success requires more than merely technical skills, practical…

Words 645 - Pages 3

Business Ethics: Ethics And Moral Reasoning

HEADER: BUSINESS ETHICS Business Ethics Kimberly Lindsey PHI 208: Ethics and Moral Reasoning Instructor John Ludes June 16, 2014 BUSINESS ETHICS 2 Introduction In this paper we will be discussing how businesses and management should and do show superior business ethics in doing what is right for the company as well as the employees. The reason for there to be business ethics, is to choose and know what is right and what is wrong in the business and with…

Words 1584 - Pages 7

Essay On Business Ethics

Business Ethics Papa James Ethics and Moral Reasoning: PHI 208 Instructor David A. Smith March 10, 2014 Business Ethics The issues behind business ethics has expand over times. Sometimes companies do not treat their employee’s right and follow their code of ethics. This could cause troubles for the company. Business ethics is a format of professional ethics that examines moral and ethical problems that come about in a business environment. The heart of any company is their employees. The policies…

Words 783 - Pages 4

Enron Business Ethics

one of the biggest energy companies in America, was reviewed by Paul Healy, the James R. Williston Professor of Business Administration at Harvard, and Krisha G. Palepu, the Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration at Harvard, who state that “despite the elaborate corporate governance network, Enron was able to attract large sums of capital to fund questionable business model, conceal its true performance through a series of accounting and financing maneuvers, and hype its stock to…

Words 2133 - Pages 9

Essay on Business Ethics

Business Ethics MGMT-1125 6/5/2013 Rhonda Ledbetter | Business Ethics Business ethics are forms of applied ethics or professional ethics that examine ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment. It can also be defined as the moral values and principles set forth for a company or market. Proper business ethics are vital for a business to be successful, providing quality care and honesty to consumers. Business ethics are important because how a business…

Words 527 - Pages 3