The world today is keen on businesses that embrace the concept of corporate social responsibility. Every business entity has to factor the interest of its stakeholders in its operations for stakeholder confidence and trust. While the sale of tobacco products is a lucrative business around the world today, vendors have to weigh between business and their moral responsibility. According to the W.H.O. (2013), tobacco kills about half of its users; translating to about 6 million deaths per year. Despite these statistics, the global consumption of tobacco is increasing.
The fact that no member of Rosco’s family smokes, nor do they encourage smoking implies that they appreciate the dangers of tobacco smoking. This family has struck a balance between its moral obligations as well as its business obligations. The customers buy the products out of their own free will, and for that reason, the Rosco’s business has a business obligation to serve customers and give them their value for money. I agree with the observation that all cigarettes are going to be sold this way in the future. It is going to be a case of willing seller willing buyer.
Roscoe’s argument that his business is there to serve the market is within reason. So long us there is a demand for the services, there has to be a supply of the services. By not allowing underage customers access the tobacco products, the business ensures that those customers accessing these products are doing so within their ability to make right decisions. In so doing, Roscoe’s business is acting within the provisions of corporate social responsibility. Despite the personal opinion and preferences of the Roscoe family, their business has to prosper and make economic sense.
Work Cited
Tobacco. The World Health Organization, Jul. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. <http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs339/en/>
