Can a tobacco company be a responsible company?

Being a “smoker” myself I have knowledge of the different products on the market, but until recently I have been unaware of the various initiatives Imperial Tobacco Canada have been undertaking. The approach the company has taken to incorporate corporate social responsibly as a top priority is quite interesting.

Many feel that because the products that a tobacco company produces are harmful to ones health, they are then in turn an irresponsible company.

However, I feel that these efforts are legitimate and important for the development of our society. If Imperial was not doing anything to better society or raise awareness of the risks involved in consuming their products, than the claims that tobacco companies are all 'bad' would hold up.

Yet, Imperial Tobacco has not denied the controversy associated with their products and has clearly published the risks involved in consuming them. As a consumer of tobacco, I must assume responsibility for my actions; as a company that supplies these products, Imperial must evolve from simply supplying information concerning their products and their effects, to assuming a higher level of social responsibility for producing these products.

Business is business, but I feel Imperial is attempting to look at the bigger picture, the production of tobacco products is not going to stop, so why not begin to develop initiatives that will benefit our society’s health and stability.

I respect the fact that Imperial has dedicated time and resources into investigating youth prevention, reduction and elimination of illicit trade, and harm reduction in relation to tobacco consumption. Say what you will about cigarettes, but any company that puts forth legitimate efforts to raise awareness of social issues and find solutions to those issues should be acknowledged.

Imperial Tobacco can establish themselves as a responsible company by following through with these initiatives and in the future launching more programs as other issues surrounding their products arise.

It is interesting that people will balk at a tobacco company's efforts to establish themselves as a responsible company. I believe in choice, and with that being said, I feel people have the right to choose their own lifestyle.

Today I choose to smoke, tomorrow I could choose to drink alcohol, skip my workout, skydive or eat MacDonald’s, and I question the difference as anyone of these decisions has some sort of risk associated with it.

The fact that these products or services are out there is no longer the issue because they are not going away, it is up to me as a consumer to decide what type of risk I wish to take to fulfill my day. It is up to Imperial to decide whether they wish to include corporate social responsibility into their business practices and research, the fact that they do is a suitable start.