The Definition of Free Commerce
The definition of free commerce is the interchange of products and services without restrictions such high taxes, quotas, or laborious procedures. Consumers have the freedom to chose the things they want to buy, while industries can advertise and control costs to increase profits, according to nations that have embraced free trade.
The Importance of Customer Satisfaction
From a practical standpoint, customers want the greatest possible product for their needs. Because there are so many brands available, consumers have a wide range of options and can only buy things that completely satisfy them. Industries, on the other hand, are making every more consumers and retain them, whether it is by improving their brands or adjusting the prices.
Different Perspectives on Industries
Obviously, the public does not view all industries as equal. And it is very much ethical. The reason behind this is that the public consists of different kinds of people. People vary in terms of what they eat, their religion and beliefs, their tastes and preferences, and also their moral backgrounds. A religious person who does not drink any alcohol may not appreciate industries that produce alcoholic drinks. A person who is a Muslim may not view a company that deals with pork positively. It is basically the reason why not all companies are viewed the same way.
Consumer Health and Industry Responsibility
The 21st century has seen many people become more aware of a need to live a healthy lifestyle. Consequently, consumers have become stern when it comes to choosing products. Industries, therefore, have an obligation to protect their consumers by producing products that keep their consumer's health in check. The tobacco industry, for instance, is obviously unfairly targeted, and for a good reason. Tobacco is detrimental to one's health owing to the presence of a very addictive substance known as nicotine. Nicotine makes it very hard for tobacco users to stop using it and it is an advantage to the industry, as the sales will be at a constant high. Health wise, tobacco is notorious in causing deadly diseases such as strokes, cancer, lung diseases, and heart diseases. According to Fraedrich et al. (2013) tobacco use has also been ranked as the highest cause of a premature death all over the world, specifically because it has over 480 harmful chemicals in it.
The Ethical Choice for Consumers
As a consumer, the best decision I would make is to avoid tobacco at all costs. Staying healthy and enjoying a healthy lifestyle free of diseases is everybody's dream. A consumer choosing not to buy from a tobacco company cannot be unethical. For tobacco companies, it is extremely difficult to cater for both its interest and that of the public. The company's goal is to make as much profit as possible and it is through making more sales. In an attempt to make more sales, more people will be addicted to tobacco and their health will be at risk. Capitalism, which is an economic system where people own the economy and are at a liberty to make decisions as per their own interest, influences corporate decision making in a great way. Manufacturers and business can produce goods and services and keep the profits. Tobacco companies thrive best in economic systems where capitalism influence corporate decision making. They only need to put a disclaimer on their product stating clearly that tobacco is harmful to one's health. Subsequently, they can produce their goods and make profits.
Ethical Responsibility of Tobacco Companies
Ethically, tobacco companies should have the interests of the people at heart. The Kantian principle dictates that it is unethical to treat other people as ends and not as means to achieve a goal (Wallace & Kohatsu, 2008). Tobacco companies can achieve this by investing other ways to make tobacco less hazardous. Consequently, both the consumer and the manufacturer will have attained the ethical mark as per the Kantian principle.
Reference
Fraedrich, J., Ferrell, O. & Ferrell, L. (2013). Ethical decision making for business. Mason, Ohio: South-Western.
Wallace, R. & Kohatsu, N. (2008). Wallace/Maxcy-Rosenau – Last public health & preventive medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
