If the precautionary principle had been applied to the evidence of the dangerous health effects of smoking tobacco from the 1950s to the 1970s,

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The precautionary principle states that if an action or policy has the potential to cause harm to the public or the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus, the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate for the action or policy to be implemented. In the case of smoking tobacco, applying the precautionary principle would have required cigarette manufacturers to demonstrate through scientific evidence that smoking was safe before any regulations were passed. This would have likely resulted in earlier government actions to regulate and restrict tobacco products. Option A is not accurate as the principle acknowledges that action needs to be taken to prevent harm. Option B is unlikely as the development of scientific consensus was already underway during the 1950s-1970s. Option D is incorrect as the precautionary principle would suggest limiting sales of tobacco products to prevent harm.

If the Precautionary Principle Had Been Applied to the Evidence