Big Tobacco has been forced by a court order to make corrective statements about the harmful effects of tobacco, according to Science Daily. The corrective statements can be found in newspapers and on television starting November 26th, 2017. “U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler wrote, ‘Defendants have marketed and sold their lethal produce with zeal, with deception, with a single-minded focus on their financial success, and without regard for the human tragedy or social costs that success exacted,’” according to Science Daily.
Here are some of the corrective statements that tobacco companies will be forced to make, according to the article:
More people die every year from smoking than from murder, AIDS, suicide, drugs, car crashes, and alcohol combined.
Smoking also causes reduced fertility, low birth weight in newborns, and cancer of the cervix.
Smoking is highly addictive. Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco.
Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard, and Philip Morris USA intentionally designed cigarettes to make them more addictive.
When you smoke, the nicotine actually changes the brain — that’s why quitting is so hard.
All cigarettes cause cancer, lung disease, heart attacks, and premature death — lights, low tar, ultra lights, and naturals. There is no safe cigarette.
Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer and coronary heart disease in adults who do not smoke.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, ear problems, severe asthma, and reduced lung function.
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Having accurate information about what we put in our bodies is of the utmost importance. We support people making informed choices about drugs and alcohol, including tobacco and nicotine. Knowing how these substances are harmful and the associated costs allow you to make educated choices about your use. Although we allow nicotine products at AToN, we encourage residents to utilize the coping strategies they are already being taught while here to assist in decreasing or stopping their tobacco use.
We support the decision to have the tobacco companies be held accountable for spreading misinformation regarding their products.
Sarah Zucker, Psy.D.
Psychologist,
AToN Center 888-535-1516
