I am sad to report that someone I know has died from lung cancer. This happened yesterday. He was 67. He was probably 1 of 100's who died this week from lung cancer caused by cigarette smoking.
The government has raised the taxes on a pack of cigarettes by 62 cents. The state of Florida will be adding to that amount I am told. Smokers are outraged. They think they are being forced to pay higher prices to help the economy. Actually, the taxes were raised in order to finance the expansion of health insurance for children. Ironically, this health insurance initiative was signed by President Barack Obama, himself rumored to be a smoker unable to kick the habit. However, he can afford his cigarettes. There were some nasty comments posted on the internet about the increase. One person said they will smoke no matter what. Another person said it's unfair that smokers have to be punished. My heart goes out to them. I used to smoke, so I can truly sympathize. But, I also know what it's like to be free from nicotine addiction. It's scary when you smoke and someone says the price is going up. There are people buying cigarettes in bulk before the big tax increase. Hello, Mr. Camilleri, are you listening. Your bonus is about to get bigger because I am sure your company will follow suit and up the costs even more, and there are people willing to pay the price. Shame on you.
May the families of those who have died of any smoking related illness be comforted in knowing that there are people out there fighting for justice. May you find peace. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Until next time, let's keep fighting and save lives!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
SMOKE SCREENS ARE PROFITABLE!
According to the Associated Press, Philip Morris International's chief executive was given a 68% raise in his 2008 compensation as he oversaw the spin-off of the world's biggest non-governmental cigarette maker into a stand-alone company. Hold on to your seats: CEO Louis Camilleri was given compensation valued at $36.9million according to an Associated Press analysis. Philip Morris International Inc. is a spin-off company from the Altria Group Inc. So as not to bore you with corporate lingo, let's get to the nitty gritty of Big Tobacco.
Both companies make and sell Marlboro cigarettes, the #1 brand in the U.S. and abroad. Fortunately, cigarette sales have dipped as consumers are beginning to realize the health risks of smoking and more smoking bans have been implemented. But, the greed doesn't stop! The tobacco industry has raised their prices even during the recession to recoup lost revenues (and probably to keep their bonuses nice and plump).
Louis Camilleri (he runs the global company from his New York office) was reported to have received most of his compensation as stock awards valued at $25.4 million on January 30, 2008. He also received a $9.5 million performance-based bonus on top of his $1.6 million salary. He also received about $485,000 in other compensation, a category that includes perks such as personal use of the company aircraft ($121,283), car expenses ($23,989), a home security system ($6,648) and contributions to a defined contribution plan $235,096). This is all from peddling a product that has been proven to cause serious health problems including death. How does he sleep at night? I wonder if he smokes?
Recently, I learned that the tobacco companies are adding flavors to their product. Yummy! Bubble gum flavor, grape and even chocolate. Can you guess who they might be targeting? Yep, our kids. Get 'em young and have a customer for life (or until they die from a horrible death).
Why do we continue to smoke? Well, it's really not a matter of choice most of the time. Smoking is an extremely difficult habit to break. We become "addicted" to smoking, chewing, and/or dipping. Addiction is described as "the repeated, compulsive seeking or use of a substance despite the harmful consequences." There is usually a strong psychological component to the addiction as well, making it even harder to kick the habit.
Tobacco companies are required by law to report nicotine levels in cigarettes to the Federal Trade Commission, but they are not required to show the amount of nicotine on the cigarette brand labeling. So, the actual amount of nicotine available to the smoker in a given brand of cigarettes may be different from the level reported to the FTC. And it's been reported that the levels of nicotine have been increasing over the years making it even harder to quit. Smokers don't have a chance. We've all seen someone smoking through a stoma (hole) in their throat after a laryngectomy (removal of the voice box). I've witnessed people on oxygen shutting off the oxygen to step outside for a smoke, and then gasping for air, returning to their breathing machines. This should not be happening. As for the cigarette pushers, how can well-educated, bright people capable of making a living in just about any industry they chose decide to run a company that literally causes death and serious health issues? It's GREED, plain and simple.
Throughout my life, I have watched many relatives succumb to illnesses caused by smoking. My best friend lost both of her parents and her maternal grandparents to smoking. I personally am aware of two people currently dying of lung cancer; one in her 50's and the other in his 60's. These two people are losing approximately 50 years of their lives combined, lost because they began a habit in their youth. The tobacco industry is no better than the drug dealer on the street corner selling cocaine or heroin. Both prey on a strong addiction, both just see dollar signs. Unfortunately, one is legal.
I know, smokers will say "I have a right to smoke", and that is very true. I said the same thing back when I was smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day. I would get angry at those who would try to ban my "right" to smoke. It took me 2 years to become a nonsmoker. I went through a smoking cessation program. I persevered because I wanted to see my children grow up. I wanted to see my grandchildren. I had a goal and a vision, and I was successful. I have lived to see 10 grandchildren (one is already in college). I am so thankful for that. Nothing in this world would make me light up ever again. However, I will do what I can to prevent young people from starting to smoke (including children as young as 9 and 10). There's always a kid who will approach another kid and say "hey, try this, you'll look cool and you'll be cool" and it's this I want to stop.
I had an uncle once. He was a heavy smoker. He would go so far as to blow smoke in the faces of people who didn't smoke just to be mean. Guess what? He finally smoked himself to death, but not before he suffered a major stroke and was paralyzed for about a year unable to do anything for himself. He even had to have someone help him smoke. Go figure!
Thank you Orlando Magic for being smoke free and encouraging everyone to be smoke free. Check out www. TobaccoFreeFlorida.com for more information on Florida's campaign against smoking.
My thanks to the Associated Press for information about smoking posted on the internet.
That's all for today. My next blog will cover healthcare and why Big Tobacco needs to step up to the plate and be responsible for smoking-related healthcare issues. What does it cost to care for a smoker once they become ill as a result of smoking? And what about second-hand smoke? Think it's not a serious issue? Stay tuned...............
Both companies make and sell Marlboro cigarettes, the #1 brand in the U.S. and abroad. Fortunately, cigarette sales have dipped as consumers are beginning to realize the health risks of smoking and more smoking bans have been implemented. But, the greed doesn't stop! The tobacco industry has raised their prices even during the recession to recoup lost revenues (and probably to keep their bonuses nice and plump).
Louis Camilleri (he runs the global company from his New York office) was reported to have received most of his compensation as stock awards valued at $25.4 million on January 30, 2008. He also received a $9.5 million performance-based bonus on top of his $1.6 million salary. He also received about $485,000 in other compensation, a category that includes perks such as personal use of the company aircraft ($121,283), car expenses ($23,989), a home security system ($6,648) and contributions to a defined contribution plan $235,096). This is all from peddling a product that has been proven to cause serious health problems including death. How does he sleep at night? I wonder if he smokes?
Recently, I learned that the tobacco companies are adding flavors to their product. Yummy! Bubble gum flavor, grape and even chocolate. Can you guess who they might be targeting? Yep, our kids. Get 'em young and have a customer for life (or until they die from a horrible death).
Why do we continue to smoke? Well, it's really not a matter of choice most of the time. Smoking is an extremely difficult habit to break. We become "addicted" to smoking, chewing, and/or dipping. Addiction is described as "the repeated, compulsive seeking or use of a substance despite the harmful consequences." There is usually a strong psychological component to the addiction as well, making it even harder to kick the habit.
Tobacco companies are required by law to report nicotine levels in cigarettes to the Federal Trade Commission, but they are not required to show the amount of nicotine on the cigarette brand labeling. So, the actual amount of nicotine available to the smoker in a given brand of cigarettes may be different from the level reported to the FTC. And it's been reported that the levels of nicotine have been increasing over the years making it even harder to quit. Smokers don't have a chance. We've all seen someone smoking through a stoma (hole) in their throat after a laryngectomy (removal of the voice box). I've witnessed people on oxygen shutting off the oxygen to step outside for a smoke, and then gasping for air, returning to their breathing machines. This should not be happening. As for the cigarette pushers, how can well-educated, bright people capable of making a living in just about any industry they chose decide to run a company that literally causes death and serious health issues? It's GREED, plain and simple.
Throughout my life, I have watched many relatives succumb to illnesses caused by smoking. My best friend lost both of her parents and her maternal grandparents to smoking. I personally am aware of two people currently dying of lung cancer; one in her 50's and the other in his 60's. These two people are losing approximately 50 years of their lives combined, lost because they began a habit in their youth. The tobacco industry is no better than the drug dealer on the street corner selling cocaine or heroin. Both prey on a strong addiction, both just see dollar signs. Unfortunately, one is legal.
I know, smokers will say "I have a right to smoke", and that is very true. I said the same thing back when I was smoking 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day. I would get angry at those who would try to ban my "right" to smoke. It took me 2 years to become a nonsmoker. I went through a smoking cessation program. I persevered because I wanted to see my children grow up. I wanted to see my grandchildren. I had a goal and a vision, and I was successful. I have lived to see 10 grandchildren (one is already in college). I am so thankful for that. Nothing in this world would make me light up ever again. However, I will do what I can to prevent young people from starting to smoke (including children as young as 9 and 10). There's always a kid who will approach another kid and say "hey, try this, you'll look cool and you'll be cool" and it's this I want to stop.
I had an uncle once. He was a heavy smoker. He would go so far as to blow smoke in the faces of people who didn't smoke just to be mean. Guess what? He finally smoked himself to death, but not before he suffered a major stroke and was paralyzed for about a year unable to do anything for himself. He even had to have someone help him smoke. Go figure!
Thank you Orlando Magic for being smoke free and encouraging everyone to be smoke free. Check out www. TobaccoFreeFlorida.com for more information on Florida's campaign against smoking.
My thanks to the Associated Press for information about smoking posted on the internet.
That's all for today. My next blog will cover healthcare and why Big Tobacco needs to step up to the plate and be responsible for smoking-related healthcare issues. What does it cost to care for a smoker once they become ill as a result of smoking? And what about second-hand smoke? Think it's not a serious issue? Stay tuned...............
Thursday, March 26, 2009
AIG and Big Tobacco
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 5 deaths in the United States is related to smoking. In 1982, the Surgeon General reported that cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer mortality, and it is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Each year, 440,000 people die from tobacco use. Tobacco use kills more people than car accidents, suicides, AIDS, homicides and illegal drugs combined. Does this get your attention? The use of tobacco contributes to lung, oral cavity, pharyngeal and esophageal cancers. It also contributes to bladder, pancreatic, liver, uterine cervical, kidney, stomach, colon, and rectal cancers, as well as some leukemias. There is probably not a person alive today who has not lost a loved one, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker or an acquaintance to the use of tobacco. I know I have. Did you know there are over 4000 compounds in tobacco and tobacco smoke, and that 43 of those compounds are carcinogens? Carcinogens are chemicals/products and/or byproducts that cause cancer. Ouch! Why would anyone smoke? The answer is simple. People try it, usually hate it at first, but eventually become addicted. I know, I used to smoke. I began smoking as a teen-ager because my friends were smoking. I was one of Big Tobacco's targets.
I titled this blog "AIG and Big Tobacco." So, where does AIG come in? Actually, AIG has nothing to do with Big Tobacco. However, in comparison, the tobacco industry pays its top execs large salaries and bonuses just like AIG, but Big Tobacco sells a product that literally kills its own customers. Not everyone dies from smoking, but all who smoke endanger their health to some degree. The longer they smoke, the odds are they will develop a smoking-related illness. The majority of smokers who do not quit and make it to age 70+ are usually on oxygen and have emphysema or chronic debilitating bronchitis. Their quality of life is severely impaired.
My next blog will discuss the salaries of Big Tobacco executives, and I will share some personal stories from people who have sat by helplessly and watched their loved ones destroy their health. Until next time, encourage someone to quit. Encourage them to "butt out" and live to be 100.
I titled this blog "AIG and Big Tobacco." So, where does AIG come in? Actually, AIG has nothing to do with Big Tobacco. However, in comparison, the tobacco industry pays its top execs large salaries and bonuses just like AIG, but Big Tobacco sells a product that literally kills its own customers. Not everyone dies from smoking, but all who smoke endanger their health to some degree. The longer they smoke, the odds are they will develop a smoking-related illness. The majority of smokers who do not quit and make it to age 70+ are usually on oxygen and have emphysema or chronic debilitating bronchitis. Their quality of life is severely impaired.
My next blog will discuss the salaries of Big Tobacco executives, and I will share some personal stories from people who have sat by helplessly and watched their loved ones destroy their health. Until next time, encourage someone to quit. Encourage them to "butt out" and live to be 100.
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