Could you work for a tobacco company

[widgitfidgit]

I have honestly never given it a thought before today, but over lunch a fiend told me her husband got a new job with a tobacco company. My instant thought was "nope I couldn't" but I don't think I would feel the same about working for an alcohol company.

I have.

Also worked in alcohol and gambling.

I suppose if people want it they're going to get it regardless so why not take the job.

My friends joke that my next move is probably going to be nuclear missiles but there I would draw the line!

(I'm a lawyer btw so not directly involved in sales or production)

No - it's on my list as a business I wouldn't support. But many do. I think you have to decide what you could tolerate.
I would work for an alcohol business.
I would work for defence related organisations.
I wouldn't work for tobacco, some charities eg "pro-life", mlms and probably some more.

It wouldn’t bother me at all. But then I was a smoker for 45 years so it would be totally hypocritical for me to have a crisis of conscience about it.

I would have no issue working for a tobacco company. I do already work in a hated profession though.

Yes, ex smoker.

Where I live it’s close to Gallaghers and British American Tobacco, although no longer, they were very big employers, I’ve known several people who have worked there. Their jobs were mainly admin so not involved in anything major. It would depend on the role. I also have friends who work with Alcohol and betting and whilst it wouldn’t be my chosen profession, I don’t begrudge them.

Traffic warden?

No.Not long term, viable employment, surely?

No. I’m in marketing and the idea of trying to get more people to buy tobacco products is sickening.

Ex smoker. Yes, I would. As long as its legal, a job is a job. Most people don't have the luxury of putting their misplaced ethics before paying the bills....

After reading these. Not sure I could
Work for a gambling company either

No I wouldn't. I work in marketing and would never market something I believe is unethical or damaging. I actually include alcohol in that too. I also wouldn't work for a company that does unhealthy food or even a skincare company that does lightening products or similar.

They probably give back a lot to the community in the form of CSR

Why would work in the alcohol business but not tobacco? Alcohol is every bit as damaging.
Some people can't afford to be too picky, if they have a family to support.
You don't have to actually smoke to be work there!!

No, never. I have been approached both to work for them and to consult for them, it would have quadrupled my salary at the time (relevant expertise). I used to get them chasing me around at conferences. Still no.

Family member used to work for BAT, in the factory. He died of emphysema.

A friend repeatedly refused to work for them as a toxicologist but is now working for another industry with somewhat dubious history. I don't know what compelled the change of heart because he was adamant for years.

No. I was approached years ago about a job in BAT. No interest at all. Hate smoking, have never smoked, mum died of smoking related cancer. Also as a teenager I refused to apply for a job on tescos fag counter.

My bloke worked for a tobacco company for years and they were fantastic employers.

Are you based at Bristol? Can't think of any others in the UK now.

I don’t think so. I am not as vehement about it as I am about not working for a gambling company though interestingly.

(This may be because I have actually thought hard about a gambling company - I have skills that they would value and could probably increase my earnings significantly by doing so. My skills are not really valuable for a tobacco company.)

I have, as a consultant. I smoked at the time but still found it very odd that smoking happened in the office ( Switzerland 20 odd years ago) They spun me a line about how it's brand awareness rather than encouraging smoking per se. Utter bollocks obvs.

They had very senior positions all over the world and senior employees were expected to move thousands of miles to eg the Russian Steppes at the drop of a hat.

In a capitalist society its hard to avoid the 'baddies'. There might be pension investments etc in companies like that.

I wouldn't by choice. However if needs must and it was a choice between that and providing for my children, I would.

Not tobacco, and not gambling including crypto. I work in marketing.

I have worked with a few alcohol brands and drinkaware (Diageo funded), which I hadn't considered to be unethical, though I can see how some would.

I guess the difference in my mind is tobacco & gambling are addictive. Alcohol can be addictive to some, but the vast majority can enjoy it in moderation without notable health impact.

Yep, I have. It was one of my favourite jobs and a lovely place to work

(I was in a support function)

Yes, especially if I got staff discount 😀