The manufacturer has voluntarily recalled products after reports implicate tires in 88 U.S. deaths and more than 250 injuries. Congress will hold hearings. Tobacco products have not been recalled, but due to the national tobacco settlement, restrictions have been placed on the industry's ability to market and advertise.
Tobacco products remain dangerous and accessible to children, and yet there is no recall.
The tire crisis reminds us that disclosure of defects and risks are required from most manufacturers. During the 11th World Conference on Tobacco and Health, scientists and health advocates learned more about the impact that tobacco has on global society. This includes the industry's history of misinformation, efforts to insure the public was not made aware of discoveries on the addictive nature of nicotine, and clandestine methods to increase the addictive properties of cigarettes. Yet tobacco products stay on the market and the industry pays in effect a fine for harming people. Philip Morris executive, David Greenberg recently stated that his company would oppose any World Health Organization proposal that would directly impede an adult's ability to smoke cigarettes.