I don't understand what makes people disdain freedom so much that they'll deem this sort of state overreach as reasonable.
Holding Tobacco producers liable is paternalist & wrong, this is almost totalitarian.
Holding Tobacco producers liable is paternalist & wrong, this is almost totalitarian.
Advertising with factually inaccurate information, of course, should be punishable by law.
Consumers need to be educated from an early age on how to identify legitimate sources of information. That is becoming more apparent every single day.
That's exactly what happened, e.g.:
'For example, Pennsylvania brought suit alleging a "conspiracy in concealing and misrepresenting the addictive and harmful nature of tobacco/nicotine[,] . . . industry control and manipulation of nicotine to foster addiction and thus profits[,] . . . intentionally attracting and addicting children to tobacco products," and "targeting African Americans" (complaint in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Philip Morris, Inc.). These claims encompass civil conspiracy, willful and negligent breach of a special duty, fraudulent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, negligent design, strict liability, unfair trade practices, public nuisance, and negligent and intentional entrustment.' [1]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobacco_Master_Settlement_Agre...
It's also hard to see how the punishment for misconduct, even misconduct that actually occurred, can be a fine paid every year for eternity.
Absolutely right. And a huge part of that involves rooting out those who publish misinformation and pay money to get that misinformation published in what is otherwise a reliable outlet for information. Like in the case of tobacco.
Health both on an individual and social level is a precondition for deeper freedoms that go beyond simple choice. Choice without restriction is paralysis, and there is nothing empowering about leaving addicts to their own vices and the guilty parties unpunished.
Wasn't what they did with studies basically fraud? (Not sure that was what they were held liable for though)
Can you summarize or link to an argument that tobacco producers did nothing wrong?
The plain packaging law instituted in Australia and other places is a good way to do it. Plainly state what product is inside the pack and the dangers it presents. No "hip" and enticing designs to lure the impressionable, but let people make an informed choice for themselves.
I'm not sure I buy the idea that pay-to-win games are anywhere near as addictive as tobacco or alcohol or opioids or similar substances.
When your product damages people, you should be responsible to label it as such.
I'll even say the government was one of the reasons they have been immune up until the recent few decades.