“As a smoker, I support the state budget, because in the Czech Republic we pay tax on tobacco,” Zeman said.
“Also, smokers die sooner, and the state does not need to look after them in their old age.”.
The report accepted the figure of “22,000 deaths due to tobacco smoking in the Czech Republic in 1999.”.
The Czech Republic is “indeed a happy hunting ground for ruthless predators such as Philip Morris,” the commentary added.
It parodied Philip Morris’ position as: “Fantastic business proposal: Let’s together profit from the death of the citizens of your country.
Once the outcry erupted, it didn’t take Philip Morris long to realize that the report had been a big mistake.
Myers charged that in various countries, Philip Morris aims “to block effective government action to reduce tobacco use.”. »