Can laws influence incidence of chronic illness Essay

Can laws influence incidence of chronic illness - Essay Example Enacting laws is one of the methods that can help stop the prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases. This paper will look at the how enacting laws can help reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases and whether enacting such laws is ethical. A recent research suggests that cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths (Meetoo, 2010). However, this is despite the various public awareness efforts and the laws that have been enacted over the years to stop this. Obesity and chronic diseases are likely to be the leading causes of preventable death in the future if proper measures are not taken to address this menace (Meetoo, 2010). The United States of America government over the years has enacted strict laws to help reduce cigarette smoking. The tobacco control act is one of such legislations whose main aims include; making tobacco products more expensive, preventing people from starting using tobacco and helping those already using tobacco products to stop. These laws have had a small effect on controlling the use of tobacco products. However, this effect cannot go unnoticed, as it has helped save many people’s lives. The government should embark on enacting laws to help reduce the prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases. In addition to raising public awareness on the issue, laws will go a long way in reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases and ensure it does not become the leading cause of preventable death. The laws should mainly target at the marketing strategies used by fast food outlets, branding and labeling of fast foods. The sale of soft drinks and fast food products around and in schools should also be prohibited. The government should also make sure that nutritious foods are subsidized to make sure they are affordable regardless of one’s economic status (Meetoo, 2010). Is it ethical to enact laws that are aimed at