Tobacco companies and retailers are suing New York city for insisting that retailers display graphic images of the health risks of smoking by their cash registers.
According to the NY Times, the industry argues that it 'infringes on the federal government’s authority to regulate cigarette advertising' and that it 'violates the First Amendment rights of store owners who disagree with their message'. Further, it claims that the placards are 'so disgusting that they hurt business by discouraging people from buying...more-wholesome merchandise like milk and sandwiches'.
Firstly, it's nice that the tobacco industry feels the need to protect the federal government rights. One might think that if they were really concerned, the Feds would have sued NY themselves...Perhaps they forgot.
Secondly, I didn't realize it was up to retailers to decide what the dangers of smoking were. Using this logic, if a retailer doesn't think smoking causes lung cancer, he should not be forced to display a poster that says it does.
Thirdly, it is very kind of the tobacco companies to care so much for the sales of other consumer goods companies. Who would have thought they were so charitable?
The tobacco industry are all just big, touchy-feely softies really!
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