Inequalities in How Companies are Viewed: Tobacco Companies

Essay Instructions:

In the land of free trade, the public does not view all industries as equal. Do you believe that is ethical? Do you believe that some industries are unfairly targeted? Should it be consumers' choice to partake in products that are not healthy for them, or do those companies have an ethical obligation to protect people? In this assignment, you will choose one (1) industry to write about. Possible industries to research could be tobacco, soda, alcohol, casinos, or candy companies, just to name a few.
Write a one and a half to two (1½ - 2) page paper in which you:
Become an advocate for either the consumer or the industry. Prepare an argument explaining the major reasons why you support either the consumer or the industry.
Explain the role capitalism plays in corporate decision making.
Discuss if you believe it is possible for a company to cater to both its best interest and that of the consumer conjointly or if one always has to prevail. Justify your response.
Use at least two (2) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, your professor's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
Include a reference page. Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
Determine the considerations for and process of ethical business decision making to balance corporate and social responsibilities, and address moral, economic, and legal concerns.
Analyze selected business situations using the predominant ethical theories, such as utilitarian, Kantian, and virtue ethics to guide ethical business decision making.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in business ethics.
Write clearly and concisely about business ethics using proper writing mechanics.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Not All Companies Are Viewed As Equal
Name
Institution
Not All Companies Are Viewed As Equal
1 Become an advocate for either the consumer or the industry. Prepare an argument explaining the major reasons why you support either the consumer or the industry.
It is true that not all industries are viewed equally. While some are often criticized often, others, whose effects are far worse, are made to appear angelic of great importance to the economy. A perfect example is the tobacco industry. Regardless of how economists may want to look to at it, the tobacco industry is indeed a menace. Through this industry, the world has lost a lot of great men and women, and the sad thing is the young people are adopting the smoking habit fast. Different researchers have argued that consumers should be held responsible for their actions sentiments that have been widely echoed and supported by the tobacco industry. However, it is also important to note that the tobacco industry has the most enticing advertisements. By investing in appealing advertisements and employing the most innovative minds in marketing, the industry has managed to continually increase its profit margin. The focus is always on the people’s weaknesses which often make it difficult for people to avoid or drop the habit of smoking.
Additionally, Brandt (2012) said that the tobacco industry often goes as far as downplaying the effects of their products comments that were echoed by ASH (1998) with regards to the industry’s denial of the direct link between smoking and lung cancer. It is true that the decision to partake lies with the consumers, however, it is also true that deception has also played a great role in helping the tobacco industry to grow its revenue. If Brandt’s comments are to be believed, the tobacco industry has been taking advantage of the consumer’s ignorance. Ignorance can never and will never form a case for defense, but industries should be held accountable for their actions as well.
2 Explain the role capita...

Updated on January 26, 2024

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Inequalities in How Companies are Viewed: Tobacco Companies

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