They were never subjected to nearly the same hostility that the tobacco industry endured. There were no stories, for example, about fastfood advertising enticing kids and others to consume products that may one day kill them. Nor were there any stories pointing out the medical costs of obesity. And no network reporter sought to outline the campaign contributions of companies which produce and sell alcohol. But all the networks were critical of tobacco advertising and campaign contributions, as well as the medical costs to society of smokingrelated illnesses.
Journalists seem to have lost some perspective when reporting on tobacco.
They not only air far more stories on tobacco than on other legal, risky products, but they have allowed Clinton to use smoking to deflect attention from rising illegal drug use. Reporters should not ignore tobacco, but they should not apply to it a harsher standard than they apply to even illegal drugs.