The most disturbing idea circulating here is "regulations to reduce the addictiveness of tobacco products". In plain language, this means reducing the nicotine content of cigarettes. The catch is, some theories of smoker behaviour posit that smokers inhale until they reach a desired dosage of nicotine, then taper off.

If that's true, then limiting nicotine would cause smokers to inhale MORE toxic products of combustion to reach their desired nicotine level. This policy could INCREASE harm by causing smokers to inhale more smoke in order to get the nicotine they want. It is basically a crank idea with no real-world backing, being promoted by ostensible experts who ought to know better. Very worrying.

As for Mr. Cunningham's (of the Canadian Cancer Society) comments — what's the point in being a "world leader" in deploying risky, unproven health policy with the potential to create vast, negative unintended consequences? Innovation in bad ideas is not a virtue!!