The Democratic rage against tobacco is mostly to taint the money trail. The children used in the debate are a diversion from their true motive. They have a few judges who are sympathetic to their cause and eager to find tobacco companies guilty of whatever charge they come up with. It's easy to get people to hate tobacco companies. The problem is, the legal precedent set when courts find companies at fault for the actions of individuals.
Responsibility is second to big government and the courts.
There is no doubt that tobacco is harmful. There is also no doubt that cheeseburgers, beer, whiskey, TV shows, cars, and countless other things in our lives are not good for us. If we set a legal precedent for liability on tobacco companies, we can use that legal precedent to go after fast food, beer companies, dirty magazines, etc. It is no different in a legal sense. You may laugh about it, but it will happen.