Tobacco and alcohol usage is an industrially created an issue that, in most circumstances, has severe adverse effects on users, such as addiction, sicknesses, and even fatalities. All of this may be avoided, but it will need a collaborative effort from the different governments, producers of these substances, and society. Thus, the relevant authorities, especially in established countries, should implement evidence-based and cost-effective legislative measures through stringent laws and regulations to govern these industries.
Therefore, in developing economies, actions should be made to guarantee moral obligation and avoid the impacts listed above. Firstly, the government should enact ethical and more rigid rules that force manufacturers and customers to follow them. These may include using less addictive or hazardous components in production processes, regulating the flow of alcohol or tobacco to populations, and limiting drinking hours (Rollier, 2017). Secondly, specific steps may be made to lessen the intensity of cigarette and alcohol promotion, with a greater emphasis on promoting items that enhance general public health.
Thirdly, the authorities should impose an age restriction to prevent the illegal selling of these goods to the youth. Furthermore, the government should outlaw firms claiming to create low-risk products because these claims are not scientifically proven and will endanger people’s health. Fourthly, the content of warning labels on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages has to be revised and strengthened. This would necessitate cautions covering 50% of the front and rear of all packing containers and graphic pictures showing the hazardous consequences of these substances (Crosbie et al., 2017). Fifthly, the government should establish a particular unit to investigate and direct firms’ promotional marketing practices. These methods should explain the producers’ stance on causation, addictions, and the types of compounds utilized in manufacturing. They should provide component information through the media, especially websites, and make prospective comments that will raise consumer awareness while using such products.
Fifthly, both alcohol and tobacco makers should express their desire to support worldwide initiatives to enhance health and social consequences for people, families, and societies. This will be accomplished by various pledges, such as decreasing underage drinking and smoking and improving and expanding safe marketing standards. Another method is to provide consumer knowledge and responsible new product development, minimize drinking and driving, and engage dealer assistance to prevent hazardous consumption (Rollier, 2017). Thus, with the mentioned regulations and standards, there will be an overall reduction in the negative impacts produced by the above products.
References
Crosbie, E., Sosa, P., & Glantz, S. (2017). Defending strong tobacco packaging and labeling regulations in Uruguay: Transnational tobacco control network versus Philip Morris International. Tobacco Control, 27(2), 185-194.
Rollier, S. (2017). Screening for oral cancer in tobacco and/or alcohol addicts: A comparison of different organizations. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 171, e178.