Public Policy and Cigarette Labeling

Paper Summary:

When the dangers of smoking became public knowledge, the movement to have cigarettes labeled began. This paper traces the path that led to the creation of labels on cigarette packages through the study of John Kingdon's model of public policy and shows that cigarette labeling is one of the most classic examples of Kingdon's model in action. The paper shows that public pressure, the grass roots movements, and the window of opportunity all came together to make the government force tobacco companies to warn their own customers of the dangers in their product.

From the Paper:

"When a group or an individual has the desire to garner government funds for a purpose they are in a race with many other groups or individuals who want the same thing for their cause. This creates a type of vacuum in which all of the ideas, and desires are jumbled together in one large area called lobbying. Lobbying is the path the group takes to gain both public and political support for their cause. Lobbying is done before the bill ever reaches voting stages and it is where most desires for government backing or funding die. For a group to be successful in their desire to get their concerns to the voting floor they must take advantage of the window that is created by things such as public awareness, litigation and other factors. When this window occurs, the iron is hot and it is the best time to strike according to the Kingdon model."

More papers on Public Policy and Cigarette Labeling:

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• Essay # 30203 : "Politics, Public Policies and African Americans"

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