This case comes from the authors of our text, under “Discussion Questions,” in an earlier edition of the text

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Steven F. Goldstone, former Chairman and CEO of RJR Nabisco (one of the four biggest U.S. cigarette manufacturers), said in a magazine interview, “I have no moral view of this business. . . I view it as a legal business. You shouldn’t be drawing a moral judgment about a business our country says is perfectly legal and is taxed like crazy by it.”

Consider Goldstone’s statement in terms of moral awareness and ethical responsibility. If we assume that the medical profession has provided ample evidence about the dangers that cigarettes pose to our health, do you think it is possible to make an argument that ethics should not play any part in a business, like cigarettes, that is legally sanctioned by the government and its courts? Please support your arguments with appropriate references from our text or other sources.