Ethics, The Big Three Tobacco Companies, Essay Example

The Big Three tobacco companies represent the largest producers, marketers and distributors of cigarettes in the United States., These companies have failed to act in an ethical manner. This is based on three reasons, firstly, the have failed in the obligation to open communication with their clients. Secondly, they have not acted in a fair and honest manner in the production of e-cigarettes, and there is a conflict of interest in the growing of their companies through the introduction of e-cigarettes.

Fairness and Honesty

Fairness and honesty are character requirements for any given business seeking continuity in the long-run. In order for there to be a level playing field, honesty and fairness is a crucial and required trait. As such, a level playing field would ensure that all players can thrive, but not at the expense of any other given player. The big three tobacco companies have failed to depict this in their introduction of e-cigarettes to the American market.

The big three tobacco companies have failed to honor the stipulation of full disclosure to its clients. Since the entry into the production of e-cigarettes, these companies have failed to produce any concrete evidence that e-cigarettes are any better than traditional cigarettes. While all three companies venture into the production of e-cigarettes, they has been no full disclosure as to the risks pertaining to the use of e-cigarettes. Clients have been left in the dark, most of which use the product oblivious to the side effects they may realize from its use.

The big three tobacco companies ought to conduct a joint research on the probable side effects of the use and prolonged use of e-cigarettes. Such an endeavor would be overseen by government medical agencies that are specialized in nicotine addiction.

Conflict of Interest

Cigarette smoking had become engrained in the American culture by the start of the 20^th century. Cigarette smoking became the definition and measure of social status and a sign of rebellion towards society. This created a smoking society that started to feel its health implications in the middle of the 20^th century. Since the early 1960s, the US government through the health department launched research projects and health initiatives that significantly reduced illnesses and conditions caused by excessive and prolonged smoking of tobacco cigarettes.

This resulted in the significant decrease in the number of smokers in the United States, from 42% of all adults in 1965 to 20.8% in 2013. While the prevalence of smokers varied with other factors such as race, ethnicity and lifestyle, this general decrease in the number of smokers was realized on all levels.

The introduction of e-cigarettes threatens the progress made over the years. E-cigarettes have been packaged and marketed as cleaner and better alternatives to the traditional tobacco cigarettes. The reduction in the number of toxins has been the major selling point for e-cigarettes. However, this does not disprove the possibility that nicotine addiction in its purest form would far surpass traditional tobacco addiction. E-cigarettes would only serve to introduce a more sanitized form of smoking reversing all progress made in the past few decades.

Accessibility to e-cigarettes casts yet another damning shadow to the underlying conflict of interest. It has been found that the number of children who can access cigarettes has increased by 7%, most of which is attributed to e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes contain nicotine, one of the most addictive substances to human beings. Exposing children to such substances would lead to considerable mental and psychological damage hindering growth and development in the brain.

Communication

Communication is key in any successful supply chain. A business that effectively utilizes communication realizes better results. As such, businesses are expected to communicate with their customers in a transparent and honorable manner upholding all elements of trust and respect for human life. This means that businesses are required to inform their clients of any potential negative effects or results of using their products, either by accident or unwisely. This stipulation is a standard that is held on all markets as it reinforces the ethical pillar of fairness and honesty.

The big three tobacco companies fail to meet these standards prescribed for communication. The three tobacco companies have introduced product in the market with no proper communication as to the risks entailed with the use or improper use of their product. While e-cigarettes have significantly less toxins when compared to traditional cigarettes, the workings and mechanism of the e-cigarette battery-powered devices has not been medically proven to be safe. It is not known whether this form of smoked nicotine promotes cancer at a faster rate or not. It is not known whether it causes cancer or not. There are numerous unknown variables that may have a significant impact on the health of e-cigarette users.

In conclusion, the big three tobacco companies fail to meet the standards prescribed for in business ethics. They have conducted business in an unethical manner, failing to meet all requirements before releasing their products. They have been found to have a conflict of interest in their production and following ethical standards.

Works Cited

Esterl, Mike. “Big Tobacco is About to Dive Into E-Cigarettes.” The Wall Street Journal (2013).

Stone, Mary S, et al. Business : A Changing World. London: McGraw-Hill, 2013.

Wieczner, Jen. “10 Things E-Cigarettes Won’t Tell You.” Sunday Journal (2013).