The rest of world other than China is indeed on a campaign to ban cigarette on the pretext of health while -- legalizing cannabis and opoids.
Its all about monies and white man is loser. Chinese tobacco is now the strongest player in the world and white man is starting to shape narrative ban tobacco.
Banning tobacco isn't a recent thing. It actually started in the 1990's when the US sued big tobacco and basically put them out of business with $200B in fines.
en.wikipedia.org
Cigarette sales have plunged.
Percentage of Americans Who Smoke Near Record Low, Poll Finds
The poll found that 16% of American adults reported smoking any cigarettes in the past week.
To really put tobacco out of business some really draconian laws were passed in parts of the country...as in you basically can only smoke freely in your house.
Massachusetts
Many laws limiting youth access to tobacco products and providing protection from secondhand smoke are passed and enforced at the local level. Statewide laws regulating tobacco products apply to all communities in the Commonwealth. Statewide laws are passed by the Massachusetts State Legislature...
www.mass.gov
Tobacco excise taxes
As of July 1, 2013, the
excise tax imposed on cigarettes under
M.G.L. 64C increased to
$3.51 per pack. The cigar and smoking tobacco excise imposed by M.G.L. 64C increased from 30% to 40% of the wholesale price of the products, and smokeless tobacco products increased from 90% to 210% of the wholesale price.
Cigarettes are also required, under M.G.L. 64C, to be sold at a minimum price as determined by the Department of Revenue (DOR). DOR periodically updates the
lowest price at which each cigarette brand may be sold.
Smoke-free Workplace Law
The Massachusetts Smoke-free Workplace Law
prohibits smoking in schools, restaurants and bars, taxis, private offices, and other places of work. This law (MGL chapter 270, section 22,
"An Act to Improve the Public Health in the Commonwealth"went into effect on July 5, 2004 to protect employees and the public from secondhand smoke and amends the 1988 Massachusetts Clean Indoor Air Law.
Laws regarding tobacco sales to minors
It is illegal to sell tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 in Massachusetts, including e-cigarettes. Some cities and towns may have stricter sales policies than the state law.
As a part of
Massachusetts Consumer Protection Regulations, tobacco retailers are required to ask for identification of individuals who appear to be under the age of 27.
Decades of health studies paid off with milestone legislation against corporate indifference, and an unexpected result that changed advertising and commercials forever.
www.thestreet.com
Smoking in tv shows was reduced in the mid 1990's.
Smoking in big budget Hollywood movies is rare.
