AIZAWL THEOLOGICAL COLEGE
BACHELOR OF DIVINITY (2024-2025)
INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ETHICS
Topic : Ethical Issue on Smoking, Chewing Pan, etc.
Submitted by : Jamminlun Baite BD. II Roll. No: 27
Introduction.
Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco, poses serious health risks,
addiction issues, and socio-economic problems. This paper explores the health dangers of
tobacco, the impact of nicotine addiction, the economic and social effects, and the ethical
considerations for tobacco companies. We will also discuss the World Health Organization’s
strategy of using graphic warnings on cigarette packages, the debate over e-cigarettes, and their
potential benefits and risks.
1. Health Risks.
Using nicotine for a long time can cause various health problems. It can worsen blood
circulation, lead to heart issues, and affect the digestive system. Pregnant women who smoke risk
harming their baby's health during pregnancy and later in life.
For teenagers, nicotine can hurt memory, make it hard to concentrate, and affect brain
development, leading to poor impulse control. Many health problems from nicotine are also due
to harmful chemicals in cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping products. Some of these
chemicals can cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Chewing tobacco can lead to cancers of
the mouth, tongue, gums, stomach, throat, and bladder. It can also make teeth worn out and
stained and cause gums to pull away from the teeth. 1 Today, with vaping becoming more popular,
many people believe it’s safer, but it can still expose users to harmful nicotine and chemicals.
Young people especially re at risk of becoming addicted, which can harm their health and future
2. Addiction.
1
“Health and social services,” https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/health-effects-tobacco/nicotine-it
%E2%80%99s-why-smoking-so-addictive#:~:text=Within%20seconds%20of%20inhaling%20cigarette,get%20that
%20same%20good%20feeling. Accesses on 3rd September, 2024.
Nicotine is a drug found in tobacco that affects the brain and body. When people use
smokeless tobacco or smoke cigarettes, nicotine quickly enters the bloodstream and reaches the
brain. It makes people feel good by causing the brain to release a chemical called dopamine.
Over time, the brain starts to crave this good feeling, making people want to use more
tobacco to get the same effect. This can lead to addiction, where people feel a strong need to
keep using tobacco. Nicotine can also boost energy and focus because it causes the adrenal
glands to release adrenaline, which is a chemical that increases alertness and energy. When
someone stops using tobacco, they might experience strong cravings, anger, and sadness as their
body adjusts to the lack of nicotine.2 Nicotine in tobacco makes people feel good and energetic,
but it can lead to addiction, making it hard to stop using it.
3. Socio economic Impact.
Tobacco use harms the economic and social development of young people worldwide. In
poorer areas, where resources are limited, dependence on tobacco worsens economic problems.
This dependence often reduces overall economic growth and development because people spend
money on tobacco instead of on essential needs or opportunities for improvement. Understanding
how much tobacco use affects young people and what drives it can help address these economic
challenges more effectively.3
Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing pan, can significantly affect a household’s
budget. When people spend money on tobacco, they have less money left for essential needs like
food and education. This can lead to increased poverty and hunger, especially in low-income
families. Tobacco uses also brings extra health costs and economic challenges for poor people,
women, young people, and other vulnerable groups. They often face higher health problems and
struggle more with the financial burdens of tobacco-related illnesses.
Moreover, growing tobacco damages the environment. It leads to problems like soil
erosion, water pollution, and deforestation, which can harm ecosystems and reduce natural
resources. It’s important for governments to involve different sectors beyond just health, making
it a comprehensive effort to address both the health and environmental impacts of tobacco use. 4
2
Mayo clinic, “Healthy style Quick Smoking,”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/in-depth/chewing-tobacco/art-20047428#:~:text=include
%20the%20following%3A-,Addiction.,anger%20and%20a%20depressed%20mood. Accesses on 3rd
September, 2024.
3
Diego Andrade, “Magnitude and socio-economic effects of tobacco use among youths in resource limited
settings,” https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Magnitude-and-socio-economic-effects-of-tobacco-use-
among-youths-in-resource-limited,105231,0,2.html#:~:text=Tobacco%20use%20continue%20to
%20endanger,especially%20in%20resource%20limited%20settings. Assesses on 5th September, 2024.
4
“Webinar 1: The economic and social impact of tobacco,” https://www.paho.org/en/events/webinar-1-
economic-and-social-impact-tobacco. Accesses on 5th September, 2024.
Even smoking just one cigarette sometimes can harm your social life. The smell of smoke stays
on your clothes and breath, which others might not like. Also, when you smoke around others,
they breathe in secondhand smoke, which is harmful to their health. This can make people avoid
being around you, affecting your relationships and social interactions.5
4. Ethical Considerations.
Tobacco companies face ethical issues balancing profits with responsibilities for health
education, honest marketing, transparency, and safer alternatives.
4.1. Public Health Impact: Tobacco companies must deal with the fact that their products cause
serious health problems like cancer and heart disease. They should work to lessen this harm by
supporting health education and research on safer products.
4.2. Marketing Practices: Tobacco companies often target young people and low-income groups
with their ads. They need to follow strict rules to avoid misleading or harming these groups and
should support efforts to discourage smoking among youth.
4.3. Transparency: Tobacco companies should be honest about the risks of smoking and their
efforts to make products safer. This means providing clear information on packages and
supporting independent research.
4.4. Alternative Products: As smoking causes health issues, tobacco companies should look into
creating less harmful products, like nicotine patches or e-cigarettes, and ensure these are tested to
be safer.
4.5. Working with Health Groups: Tobacco companies should team up with public health
organizations to find better ways to reduce smoking and promote healthier choices. This shows
they are serious about improving public health.6
The WHO’s graphic cigarette warnings aim to deter smoking but may be distressing and less
effective for those heavily addicted.
Supporting the WHO’s Strategy: The WHO’s strategy to use graphic images on cigarette
packages aims to highlight the severe health risks of smoking, which can help discourage people
from smoking. By showing shocking images, the strategy makes the dangers of smoking very
clear, potentially encouraging smokers to quit and preventing others from starting. This approach
respects the right of individuals to make informed choices about their health by providing them
with strong, visual evidence of the risks.
Against the WHO’s Strategy: Critics argue that graphic images can be distressing and might
not always lead to positive behavior changes. Some people believe these images could be seen as
intrusive or overly aggressive, potentially leading to backlash or resistance. Additionally, the
5
“Social smoking,” https://smokefree.gov/challenges-when-quitting/cravings-triggers/social-
smoking#:~:text=Even%20one%20cigarette%20now%20and,anyone%20who%20breathes%20it%20in. Accesses on
4th September, 2024.
6
“Ethical Considerations for Tobacco Companies,” https://fastercapital.com/topics/ethical-
considerations-for-tobacco-companies.html. Accesses on 5th September, 2024.
strategy might not address the root causes of smoking addiction and could be less effective for
people who are already heavily addicted or have other socio-economic challenges. 7
E-cigarettes might help reduce harm from tobacco, but experts disagree on whether they
should be recommended. Key issues include how safe e-cigarettes are, how well they help people
quit smoking, and their effects on non-smokers and young people. E-cigarettes are probably safer
than regular cigarettes, but there are still concerns. They might not be a major risk for public
health compared to regular cigarettes, but we need to be careful. We don't know for sure if e-
cigarettes will lead young people to start smoking, so we should discourage their use among
youths.
Marketing of e-cigarettes should focus on current smokers and reflect the product’s risks.
While e-cigarettes could be a better option for current smokers, we need to take steps to protect
young people and others who might be at risk.8
6. Reflective Conclusion.
Tobacco use, whether through smoking, chewing, or vaping, has serious health,
economic, and social impacts. While e-cigarettes may offer a less harmful alternative to
traditional tobacco products, there is ongoing debate about their safety and effectiveness. The
WHO’s strategy of using graphic warnings on cigarette packages aims to make the dangers of
smoking clear, but some find it distressing and question its effectiveness for those deeply
addicted. Tobacco companies face ethical challenges, needing to balance profit with
responsibilities like health education and honest marketing. Addressing these issues requires a
multifaceted approach that includes public health measures, responsible marketing, and support
for those trying to quit.
Today, many churches address these issues by promoting healthy living and caring for
one's body as a way to honor God. They often support anti-smoking campaigns and encourage
members to avoid tobacco products. Churches may also offer support for those struggling with
addiction and advocate for policies that protect public health and the environment. By fostering a
community focused on well-being and ethical choices, churches play a role in addressing the
negative impacts of tobacco use and supporting healthier lifestyles.
Webliography.
7
“Ethical Considerations in the WHO and Smoking,”
https://brainmass.com/business/business-philosophy-and-ethics/ethical-considerations-who-smoking-590589
8
Carolyn Frank, et al., “Ethical considerations of e-cigarette use for tobacco harm reduction ,”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4869264/. Accesses on 5th September, 2024.
Frank, Carolyn. et al. “Ethical considerations of e-cigarette use for tobacco harm reduction.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4869264/. Accesses on 5th September, 2024.
Andrade, Diego. “Magnitude and socio-economic effects of tobacco use among youths in resource limited settings.”
https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Magnitude-and-socio-economic-effects-of-tobacco-use-
among-youths-in-resource-limited,105231,0,2.html#:~:text=Tobacco%20use%20continue%20to
%20endanger,especially%20in%20resource%20limited%20settings. Assesses on 5th September, 2024.
“Ethical Considerations for Tobacco Companies.” https://fastercapital.com/topics/ethical-considerations-for-
tobacco-companies.html. Accesses on 5th September, 2024.
“Ethical Considerations in the WHO and Smoking.” https://brainmass.com/business/business-philosophy-and-
ethics/ethical-considerations-who-smoking-590589. Accesses on 5th September, 2024.
“Health and social services.” https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/health-effects-tobacco/nicotine-it
%E2%80%99s-why-smoking-so-addictive#:~:text=Within%20seconds%20of%20inhaling%20cigarette,get
%20that%20same%20good%20feeling. Accesses on 3rd September, 2024.
Clinic, Mayo. “Healthy style Quick Smoking.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/in-
depth/chewing-tobacco/art-20047428#:~:text=include%20the%20following%3A-,Addiction.,anger%20and
%20a%20depressed%20mood. Accesses on 3rd September, 2024.
“Social smoking.” https://smokefree.gov/challenges-when-quitting/cravings-triggers/social-smoking#:~:text=Even
%20one%20cigarette%20now%20and,anyone%20who%20breathes%20it%20in. Accesses on 4th
September, 2024.
“Webinar 1: The economic and social impact of tobacco.” https://www.paho.org/en/events/webinar-1-economic-
and-social-impact-tobacco. Accesses on 5th September, 2024.
