If I were a tobacco industry executive:

I'd make a product widely known to cause disease and then convince people that it's their own fault they got sick.

I'd make people think they were choosing to smoke, but when your customers are addicted it makes marketing easy.

I'd keep tobacco taxes low so that consumers can go on cheaply killing themselves, padding my wallet as they do.

I'd market to children, the poor and the disadvantaged. Since the government won't protect them, they're easy targets.

I'd pull off killing 5 million people worldwide a year, all while product recalls that kill only handfuls of people make news headlines.

I'd blame all of the negative outcomes from tobacco on the fact that it's legal. Then I'd invest millions to make sure it stays that way.

I'd hire a team of lawyers to circle like vultures outside the Utah House and Senate chambers to ensure that profits are always put ahead of health.

I'd meet with and make campaign contributions to legislators. When they vote the way I want, I'd call it a coincidence.

I'd have money, power and influence, and absolutely no one could stop me.

Kiley Atkins

Taylorsville