FDA, Tobacco & Food: Why I’m An Idealist

FDA, Tobacco & Food: Why I'm An Idealist

Much respect for millions of Americans who have died from tobacco related cancers, please honor them by sharing this post!

On 6/21/10 the FDA announced that it will begin mandating picture warnings on cigarette packages. In the first major change to cigarette packaging in a quarter-century, the Food and Drug Administration announced it would require graphic warning labels that cover half a package's front and rear and the top 20% of all cigarette ads.

I'm sure all of the current American realists out there will be in outrage as the government has once again stepped in and tried to force it's care for the people on the people. In some cases I would agree that less government policy is a good idea, except when it comes to the human nature and our autonomic response to addiction's role in brain chemistry. In 1988 C. Everett Koop, surgeon general of the United States, published a report stating nicotine as addictive as either heroin or cocaine. Did this really stop those addicted?

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on earth yet MILLIONS of people indulge daily. In common knowledge, smokers know how bad it is to smoke the same way that fast food patrons know about MSG and HFCS right? Wrong.

Education has to be taught in order for it to apply in society. As you are reading this right now we have wars going on in FDA and USDA meeting rooms about GMO labels, food additives and GRAS chemicals in our food. The current uneducated public has absolutely no idea about these topics as they are hidden from more important current events like Paris Hilton's new car or if Madonna's bra was to risque.

Is it because people don't care? I truly believe they do, it's just that they are too busy trying to consume and produce to learn. When you are taught a behavior from birth and all the ads and media around you tells you how to think, feel, act and eat it becomes difficult to cut through the haze of manipulation into the open truth.

Newsflash! Everyone is born with a free will. It may come as no surprise that people everyday consciously and subconsciously sabotage their own health with cancer causing foods and chemicals. Is this just population control or natural selection? Well, with the deeds of profit over human well-being there is a universal law of compassion in return.

The major similarities between fast food and tobacco companies is an all too real situation in our country and is growing by the minute. Just stop and think for a breath how powerful the tobacco industry had become before its decline; the AMA's (American Medical Association) main advertising contributor in the early and mid 1900's was Phillip Morris and big tobacco. In the 2006 documentary “The New Medicine”

http://www.pbs.org/thenewmedicine/

You can view advertisements from trusted family doctors actually making claims that Camel brand cigarettes would make your throat feel better and are best for reducing stress during your day. The correlation to the fast food industry is the same- Ronald McDonald leads schools during lunchtime into their neighborhood McDonald's to eat MSG and Trans Fat laden food everyday in our country and no one seems to care. Well, not yet at least. When the crisis is big enough they will, just as it we did for tobacco. This sad story is just another set of absolute lies and misrepresentations of facts twisted to benefit one common goal- Larger profits!

I'm proud to be an idealist. Without the idealists of the planet we would have nothing. Every change in corporate policy stems from a select group that holds an unwavering set of ideals to fight popular or “realistic” opinion!

In the 70's and 80's, big tobacco fought just as hard for us to not celebrate small victories such as labels, bans and education towards healthier living. Now look at the VICTORY we have today. It pays to be a realist but the idealists make change happen!

The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) was an agreement entered into in November 1998, originally between the four largest US tobacco companies and the Attorneys General of 46 states. The states settled their Medicaid lawsuits against the tobacco industry for recovery of their tobacco-related health care costs, and also exempted the companies from private tort liability regarding harm caused by tobacco use. In exchange, the companies agreed to curtail or cease certain tobacco marketing practices, as well as to pay, in perpetuity, various annual payments to the states to compensate them for some of the medical costs of caring for persons with smoking-related illnesses. The money also funds a new anti-smoking advocacy group, called the American Legacy Foundation, that is responsible for such campaigns as The Truth. The settlement also dissolved the tobacco industry groups Tobacco Institute, the Center for Indoor Air Research, and the Council for Tobacco Research. In the MSA, the OPMs (Original Participating Manufacturers) agreed to pay a minimum of $206 billion over the first twenty-five years of the agreement.

This would not have been possible without the fight against common opinion.

What is the difference between BIG FOOD & BIG TOBACCO? Not much really. Whether you eat it or smoke it, these companies want you to consume till you die.

Fight the good fight and take back your health. Join me in celebrating small victories!

Eventually they add up to the change we all need to make this planet healthy again.

Questions? Start here 

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About Josh Trent

Josh Trent lives in Austin, Texas with his love Carrie Michelle, son Novah, daughter Nayah + a cat named Cleo. He is the host of the Wellness + Wisdom Podcast and the creator of the BREATHE: Breath + Wellness Program. Josh has spent the past 20+ years as a trainer, researcher + facilitator discovering the physical and emotional intelligence for humans to thrive in our modern world. Helping humans LIBERATE their mental, emotional, physical, spiritual + financial self through podcasts, programs + global community that believe in optimizing our potential to live life well.

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