Nov 19, 2009

$300 Million Dollars Awarded to a Florida Smoker!


Cindy Naugle (61 years old) is going to receive $300 million from Philip Morris.  A South Florida jury said that the company's negligence caused her emphysema.  This is the largest sum ever awarded in a U.S. court to a smoker from a tobacco company.  This is the dumbest lawsuit since the "Help I spilled my coffee, let me blame McDonalds" charade.  I mean, come on!  It is common knowledge that smoking causes emphysema and cancer so there is only one person to blame, the smoker.  


Every pack has a warning from the Surgeon General on it, coupled with the fact that they are barely allowed to advertise, and taxes on them are through the roof.  One would have to have a death wish or no backbone to take up this habit.   If we really believe that tobacco is so "evil" then it should be illegal like other addictive substances (except alcohol, because our government makes money off of it--i.e. ABC stores).  The truth is they will not make smoking illegal because of the taxes.  If someone should be sued it should be the government.  If we had proof that the FDA knew a food product could kill and did not remove it there would be an uproar.  A warning label would not suffice.  


Do I believe smoking should be illegal?  No, I do not.   Especially not while it is legal to make moronic decisions (and I am glad we are free to do so because most of us do).  I for one drink far too much Mountain Dew.  If I become diabetic could I sue Pepsi?  I probably could, but I won't.  I know it is bad for me and I should not receive a reward for my lack of self control.  I am trying to cut back on my habit as smokers can choose to do as well.  It is hard since it is an addiction, but they were not born with it and we all know it is addictive before we light up for the first time.  I do NOT hate smokers.  I hate frivolous lawsuits!




7 comments:

Sonya said...

I agree! I can't believe that! It was her decision to smoke and basically kill herself slowly. My father died of lung cancer from Agent Orange so this is a very touchy subject. While the cause of his death was from serving in Vietnam he was still a smoker which I'm sure didn't help matters. I don't know if making it illegal like all other substances is the answer because then it will just be smuggled into our country and people would still use it. It is an addiction and what are we going to do with those that have smoked for 30 years, take them all to jail? Yeah, maybe but if they want to kill themselves let them but our government should not allow cases like these to even go to court. Their choice! I am also a devout Mt. Dew fan. I understand your addiction.

Tiffany said...

The FDA DOES allow chemicals in our food they know can cause cancer etc. They could care less--they are all about the money. There are certain chemicals (in foods) banned in other countries that are loaded into our food here in America. Why should cigarettes be any different? I'm very surprised that this lawsuit was allowed to carry on. I have a feeling that poor Cindy Naugle will never actually see that money--you wait and see!

Donna said...

Well, said. Where do these court judges come from????

Alan Capps said...

I would be willing to bet that the Judge is a democrat with liberal leanings. I hate to say it but "you aint seen nothin yet" just wait till you see what Presbo and the Harry Reid Nanacy Pollosi bunch does to your pay check and taxes with the healthcare bill.

Brenda said...

Only in America.

Mike Johnson said...

No one wants to accept personal responsibility these days. Always looking for someone to blame and our society is supporting that behavior.

Unknown said...

Too True Mike