Research Paper on:
Tobacco Wars and Marketing

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
the case of cigarettes, a war has been waged against the companies that produce the product as well as against the smokers themselves. A case study presented by a  student highlights cigarettes as being the worlds most profitable product. The article states that there is brand loyalty and charges noted are that some companies target minorities, such as  the case of Uptown, Virginia Slims and Dakota. Advertising cigarettes has also been under fire, as noted by the case, as while certain forms of advertising has been banned, billboard  advertising in minority neighborhoods is in full force. The author brings up the Joe Camel controversy as well, all showing that the tobacco industry is relentless in advertising a  product that it knows is harmful to the public. The case basically examines everything that has gone on in the tobacco wars, as tobacco farmers, manufacturers and advertising agencies are  targeted for promoting an unhealthy product. The case study obviously raises ethical questions. Is it ethically right to vigorously promote a product seen by many as unsafe  and even deadly? The answer may appear at first to be a resounding "no" but the truth is that there are shades of gray in this matter. Motorcycles are for  example are more dangerous than automobiles but are sold and advertised anyway. McDonalds hamburgers are loaded with fat and contribute to obesity, yet the company is not held liable for  the creation a nation of heavy children. Advertising too is constantly bombarded by criticism and is accused of encouraging materialism as well as consumption; it is also thought to stereotype  people and cause individuals to purchase items for which they have no need ("Advertising Law," 2001). Advertising agencies are said to take advantage of children and manipulate their behavior (2001).