Earlier this week the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling against tobacco companies and effectively created a new approach for consumer lawsuits against the cigarette makers. Specifically, the Court ruled that smokers may use state consumer protection laws to sue large tobacco companies in connection with marketing efforts surrounding “low tar” or “light” brand cigarettes.
This ruling seems to counter public opinion regarding individual responsibility where smoking is concerned. A recent Rasmussen study showed that 71% of U.S. voters indicated that tobacco companies should not be held liable for health problems that smokers develop. That sentiment holds among former smokers as well with an identical 71% saying that cigarette companies are not to blame.
While most voters (81% in this survey) state they are aware of the health dangers involved in smoking, the data suggests that personal responsibility should govern smoking decisions and the associated health risks and not the courts.
Rulings such as this may be why only 38% of voters gave the Court a “good” or “excellent” job performance rating.
