Here’s an ethical issue and Jewish source response:

Case

David writes, “After school I work in a convenience store.  Part of my job is selling cigarettes to customers.  Recently I studied a Jewish law called “Lifnei Iver,” putting a stumbling block before the blind. (Lev. 19:14)  My teacher said that one of the meanings of this law was that Jews should not help people hurt themselves or hurt others.  Helping them in that way was another kind of ‘stumbling block.’  I know that cigarettes are harmful.  I know that by selling them I am helping customers hurt themselves and others.  I also know that I cannot keep my job if I refuse to sell them.  Do I have to look for a new job?”

Is it wrong to take a job where selling cigarettes is part of your responsibilities?

Answer

[a] The Torah says “Do not put a stumbling block before the blind.” (Lev. 19:14)  Rashi explains, “This law refers to a person who is blind to the consequences of his/her actions, not just to the one who is suffering from physical blindness.”

[b] In the Talmud, (Pesachim 22a) Rabbi Natan said, “One cannot offer a cup of wine to a Nazir (one who has taken an oath not to drink) nor offer a limb from a live animal to one who is a Noahide (one committed to follow the seven commandments God gave Noah including not eating limbs cut from living animals.)  These violate the commandment of lifnei iver (putting a stumbling block before the blind).”  This would be like offering a drink to an alcoholic in recovery.

[c] In Moed Katan 17a, another Talmudic passage, we are told that a father cannot strike an adult child because this might tempt the son to hit him back.  If an adult son hits his father, the penalty is death. (Exodus 21:15)  Starting a chain reaction that might lead to a serious crime is considered “putting a stumbling block before the blind.”

[d] Three different opinions are taught in the Shulchan Aruch: (1) “One may never help a person commit a sin.”  (Maimonides teaches this opinion but most Ashkenazic authorities reject it).  2) The rabbis added a prohibition to the Torah that one cannot help a person in sinning, even if s/he can get the same help elsewhere.  (RaN). (3) “It is permissible to help a person commit a sin if others will do so if you do not.”  In other words, some opinions quoted in the Shulchan Aruch would let you sell the cigarettes (because they can be bought everywhere) and some would forbid it.  

Based on these interpretations, a clerk in a store may sell cigarettes.  Buying cigarettes for someone would be a different issue.

Taken from “Enabling a Jew to Sin: The Parameters,” Rabbi Michael Broyde & Rabbi David Hertzberg, The Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society. Spring 1990)

Joel Grishaver, “You Be the Judge 3”, pgs. 66-67  

Used with permission from Joel Grishaver