Koop also spoke of his 1988 surgeon general's report, which has been discussed in Minnesota's trial. They think if you can quit, it isn't addictive. And that's crazy. People quit heroin every day. People quit cocaine every day.
Nobody doubts the addictiveness of cocaine or heroin.
But the tobacco industry thought Koop's news conference was more like a circus than a deep discussion of the issues. This has been a political effort throughout. This is part of his campaign for governor and the appearance of Dr. Koop . . . Koop's 1988 report on smoking and addiction didn't break new ground scientifically, but it significantly shifted the fight against tobacco by comparing cigarettes to highly illicit drugs. He also was among the earlier proponents of stricter controls on tobacco, including those aimed at preventing children from smoking.