Just as a point of reference, I am a pack-a-day smoker and I think the U.S. Chamber of Commerce should be crucified for what they’ve been doing.
Public perception toward cigarette smoking continues to diminish, with more and more anti-smoking campaigns burning impressions on the retinas of Americans every day. Once upon a time, there was a section of nearly every restaurant that allowed me to enjoy a cigarette over my dinner, almost every bar allowed me to fill my mouth with the bittersweet impression of cigarette smoke and whiskey, and I wasn’t segregated to a dilapidated covering twenty-five feet from a door, even if it was raining.
If anything, I should despise anti-smoking initiatives and regulations. But, I don’t, for I see their value. Even though I made the choice to get hooked on an extremely addictive narcotic, that does not mean I believe steps should not be taken to keep others from becoming hooked on an extremely addictive narcotic.
Apparently, the United States Chamber of Commerce and I explicitly disagree on this subject.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been lobbying foreign governments to pull back on anti-smoking initiatives and tobacco regulations outside of the United States.
Interestingly, since 2005, a World Health Organization (W.H.O.) treaty has been in effect that cripples the influence of the tobacco industry in international policy making.?The treaty has been ratified in 179 nations around the world. Three nations have refused to ratify the treaty, one of which is the United States, because of course it is.
Thomas J. Donohue, the chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has explicitly taken part in measures to uphold the international influence of American tobacco companies like Phillip Morris and R.J. Reynolds. Donohue has personally lobbied in favor of the ability of the American tobacco industry to sue nations that uphold their commitment to the W.H.O. under upcoming treaties, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal between the United States and various nations in the Pacific Rim.
Upon the revelation that a portion of the United States government is explicitly lobbying against considered public interest in wellness, CVS Pharmacy announced Tuesday that it was resigning from its position within the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The nation’s second-largest pharmacy chain ceased the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products in October 2014.
I don’t know what the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is thinking attempting to undermine a public and governmental consensus that people should stop smoking cigarettes, but I can say with absolute certainty that it doesn’t look good for the image of the American government. Also, it may further strain relationships the United States has with nations currently signed to the W.H.O. treaty.
Of course, this is America — the land of maverick “libertarians” who do what they want, when they want, ain’t nobody gonna stop ’em, I reckon. I mean, it’s not like the United States government has actually tried to stop smoking in an official capacity, right? Right…?
Christ, this article was stressful. I’m going to go have a cigarette.
