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...............