I m sure they had negative information about their product that they didn t readily share with the public. But lots of businesses are in the same boat. But there is a difference. The tobacco companies were forced by the government to print warnings on their products. They were taxed like crazy and their ability to advertise was restricted.
Tobacco is one of the most heavily subsidized products.
So on the one hand, the government is telling us how horrible the stuff is, then they turn right around and use tax dollars to help grow it and support its market prices. Even dumber is the way lots of politicians claim to absolutely hate tobacco while absolutely loving tobacco money. The tobacco companies make lots of donations to lots of politicians. And then there s that tax thing. Tobacco is one of the most taxed products in the history of mankind.