The General Board of Church and Society applauds the landmark decision by a Florida jury in finding the tobacco industry responsible for deceiving cigarette smokers about the addictive nature of cigarettes and intentionally concealing that their product causes tobacco-related diseases. The tobacco industry is now faced with the possibility of being forced to pay billions of dollars in damages to victims. The jury's ruling makes clear that citizens have a right to hold tobacco companies accountable for marketing its deadly products. As people of faith, we believe our bodies are temples of the living God. The United Methodist Church policy recognizes smoking as hazardous to the health of all persons.
Tobacco causes by far the largest number of preventable deaths in the United States.
Shockingly, tobacco use among children has increased steadily over the last five years. At current rates, some five million children alive today may die as a result of smoking. While individuals are given free will to make choices, bad or good, this does not license the tobacco industry to exploit human weakness. Tobacco companies have been without conscience in their product marketing to youth and children and lying to the public about the addictive nature of tobacco. We hope the verdict sends a strong message to tobacco companies that the public will no longer tolerate their deceitful practices.