Interest Group Policies: Thank You For Smoking (2005) October 22, 2012

When I think of lobbyists, I think of entrepreneurs. The more resources you have the easier succeeding is, as long as you follow the law you’re good, friends in high places can help you with wonders, and most of the population isn’t exactly fond of you. Being a lobbyist relies on the skill of manipulation and sometimes deception. You’re trying to influence people to favor your cause. Whether a lobbyists for the tobacco industry or a lobbyists for some sort of health agency, you’re really doing the same thing, just crush the opposition.
            In the 2005 film, Thank You For Smoking, a successful tobacco industry lobbyist uses his charm and stubborn character to help the industry overcome adversaries and keep making a profit. The Lobbyist comes up with ideas to maintain the visual representation of cigarettes in movies and everyday life. He’s convinced its an innocent marketing tactic but opposition considers it immoral. He’s persistent and dedicated but opposition is just as eager to destroy him and the killer industry he represents.
            In the article, “Punctuated Equilibrium in Limbo: The Tobacco Lobby and U.S. State Policymaking from 1990 to 2003” by Michael Givel (2006), illustrates how taxes on cigarettes have increased while restrictions on where smokers can light up have increased as well. Laws like this make it difficult for tobacco industry lobbyists to do their job and in can be assumed that these laws were heavily pushed by anti-smoking lobbyists. Though legislatures are prime targets for lobbyists, they are usually swayed by the public. Since they desire to remain in office, lobbyists must be sure that whatever they are advocating wont get the legislature they’re influencing out of office. 
            Lobbying is a difficult art. Similar to be a lawyer, however instead of affecting individuals it affects the masses. The interest groups that lobby usually support the public good so I can’t really rip them a part. To contrast, in Thank You For Smoking, the lobbyist is battling the criticisms from society to promote smoking. Though he might be a moral individual who’s only doing his job, who really trusts a lobbyist?