Futures Up In Smoke
In today's Akron Beacon Journal there is an article by Scott Burns reminding us of the dangers of cigarette smoking.

Nothing new?

Think again.

Only 13% of more affluent Americans, but 34% of the poorest Americans smoke.  Smokers' life expectancy is ten years less than nonsmokers.  The average smoker spends at least $165 a month (often a lot more) and if these funds were invested and earned standard rates of return it would mean an additional $576,000 for the smoker upon retirement...or an additional $5,304 per month for those extra ten years they will live by not smoking.

40 million Americans still smoke today.  480,000 of us die from the effects of smoking every year to support an industry that employs 2 million workers, or one American death per year for every four jobs.

In 2015 Alria spent $9.6 million on lobbying elected representatives.  Philip Morris spent $4.7 million.  Reynolds $2 million.  Not to mention the many millions more they spend on advertising directly to consumers.

While there is plenty of blame to go around in this story, we cannot overlook the importance of seeing the connection between private sector elites (tobacco CEOs in this case) choosing to reframe the conversation about smoking from 'it will kill you' to 'it will make you cool or sexy or happy.'

This reminds me of the power book Fast Food Nation from some years ago...well worth another look or a first look if you have not read it, because it lays out the strong connections between private sector elites willingness to mislead us and the enormous negative health consequences that result...costs that tax payers usually end up picking up the tab for...another hidden subsidy to private sector leaders who choose to be death merchants.