I wish to avoid this fray and instead give my attention to the reasons why governments regulate tobacco. I suggest that government regulation of tobacco is a mix of good intentions, confusion, and the naked self-interest of regulators and their supporters. To suggest that tobacco regulation is driven by other than sterling intentions and may have other than the finest results is to invite censure. The press of public opinion against smoking is strong. Public opinion views deviations from the path of anti-smoking doctrine as an affront to decency.
Public opinion stifles contrary opinions and imposes a rule of common sense.
It is not common sense that conceived the notion that matter can bend space, that electricity and magnetism are alternate manifestations of the same force, or that there are different orders of infinity found. I do not pretend to be bringing profound truths to public view in the present essay. Instead, I suggest that the best of intentions for public policy may lead to abuse of those whom the policy was meant to help and may help narrow interests who, with good or selfish intentions, use tobacco policy to heap upon themselves money, power, and glory. My review of tobacco regulation history suggests that the deterrents to smoking are outside the state's control. It may be that education and the informal chiding of friends and family are the best deterrents to smoking.