Why Smoking Can Up Life Insurance Premiums
There are over 11,500 stores in New York City which are licensed to sell tobacco products and in a recent drive to boost awareness over the health risks associated with smoking the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg implemented a health awareness campaign targeting these outlets.
The owners of the stores have been asked to put up signs outside the shops which show images of how smoking tobacco can harm the body. They include pictures of a lung damaged by cancer, a decaying tooth and a brain, which has suffered a stroke. The graphic posters are accompanied by information for the residents of New York on how to get help in quitting smoking, and a call to join New York City’s quit program.
Surely, you may think, any attempt to reduce the amount of deaths by smoking has to be a good thing? Not only will there be a reduction in the numbers of deaths due to smoking but non smokers will have added financial benefits such as more money in their pockets and access to far cheaper life insurance.
The three big tobacco companies, Philip Morris, RJ Reynolds Tobacco and Lorillard, however have joined together in an attempt to block the campaign and have the signs taken down. In an attempt to keep their customers they are taking legal action against what they perceive to be a so far successful campaign to cut the number of smokers in New York City.
Unfortunately if past history is anything to go by, they may well succeed in their attempt. Back in 2003 Reynolds and Lorillard were successful in suing the California Department of Health Services and managed to wipe out their effective anti-smoking advertisements. The tobacco giants usually call on the services of the First Amendment in these types of cases arguing that store owners should not be forced to put up any material they do not wish to.
The Residents of New York City however surely have rights which outweigh the spurious rights cited by the big tobacco companies – for instance the right to be educated as much as possible against the dangers of smoking and the right to live a long healthy life – with the added benefit of good medical and life insurance.
Similar Posts:
- Details for Met Life Insurance Company – An Overview of Metropolitan Life
- Homeowners Auto Motorcycle Insurance – Melbourne Florida
- Group Term Life Insurance: an Unpaid Supplemental Term Life Program
- Term Life Insurance Quotes and Health Insurance Quotes?
- Life Insurance Companies Receive Downgrade
