The following quote is from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/01/business/01tobacco.html?_r=3&hpw (from a “CDC Public Health News Update” I receive weekly via email).
“Tobacco companies in the United States filed the first lawsuit, in federal district court in Kentucky, against the Food and Drug Administration, challenging a recently enacted federal law containing marketing and speech restrictions. The landmark law, signed by President Barrack Obama in June, requires new warning labels on packaging, limits advertising to black and white for certain audiences comprised of greater than 15% or two million readers under age 18, and bans advertising within 1000 feet of a school or playground, among other restrictions, which critics argue violate First Amendment free speech rights of the tobacco companies. Floyd Abrams, an attorney representing Lorillard Tobacco Company, argues, “The government has great power to protect children from certain products, including cigarettes, but tobacco is a legal product for adults. When you cut back their ability to speak to lawful purchasers, you do start running into legal issues.” Clifford E. Douglas, executive director of University of Michigan Tobacco Research Network contends, “If there’s any commercial speech that is constitutional to restrict, it’s the type of marketing covered in this legislation.” Altria Group, Inc., maker of Marlboro products, is not a participant in this lawsuit and supported the bill which is designed to reduce promotion of tobacco use to children and youth smoking.”
As a parent, I am happy to see this done to limit children being subjected to such advertising, especially since studies prove that children are much more susceptible to its influence. As a patriotic American I feel angered at the arrogance of our current government for enacting a federal law that blatantly limits someone’s (even the disgusting tobacco companies, LOL) freedom of speech. The freedoms afforded to us by the Constitution were not meant to be manipulated to suit different situations like this. A big part of me also sees this as just more big government trying to do the job that parents should be doing themselves.
What is your opinion? And please be respectful of others’ opinions! Thanks!