Sally Casswell's paper [1] highlights important differences between the ways in which the alcohol industry and tobacco industry are able to operate to promote their products and as a result limit government action aimed at reducing the harm that these products cause. Those of us in the field of tobacco research might wish to draw attention to the fact that in much of the world the tobacco industry still has considerable influence on government policy through either connivance with individuals within government by aggressive lobbying, or by litigation against governments that seek to implement policies which might reduce the industry's prodigious profits [2].
Nevertheless, Casswell is correct in asserting that the alcohol industry has an easier time of it; so does the food industry and the gambling industry. So, too, for that matter, does the oil industry, car manufacturers, diamond mining companies—and indeed, all those industries that provide goods or services that many people want, or can be induced to want. Unfortunately, the production and consumption of all these goods comes at a huge cost, including global health and climate change [3]. > > > > Read More
