Letter: Smoking gun
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Jeremy Laurance's report, "British firms accused over cigarettes" (20 November) drew much-needed attention to the plight of developing nations suffering tragically as tobacco companies replace declining markets in Europe and America.
But at the same time we are seeing the USA (and Europe soon?) agreeing to multi-billion-dollar compensation from the tobacco companies for smoking- induced healthcare costs. Are we to allow the governments to be naive in not asking where the billions of dollars will come from? Or perhaps governments just do not care that it is the profits from the projected 100 million Chinese smokers (and others) who die early that will really finance the "penalties" that western governments extract.
There has to be a globally responsible attitude. China, India and Africa cannot afford to have millions of productive adults maimed and killed. Yet they will be killed by a product we allow to continue in global markets clearly understanding that the profits generated pay for better health care in the USA and in any other country that does a deal with the tobacco companies.
PHILIP ISHERWOOD
Leigh, Greater Manchester
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments