People first knew tobacco was bad for gealth at the time of Shakespeare.
I don’t know about all this but I can sure go for a Chesterfield!
So when you went to school, they showed ads in science class?
First question to ask regarding “settled science” is who is following the unconstitutional federal funding?
I have a DVD of some old Jack Benny shows from the 50s and early 60s. Lucky Strike was one of his advertisers, and they would often weave commercials for that and other products right into the show instead of cutting away. I think Ozzie and Harriet would do the same thing. “LSMFT - Lucky Strike means fine tobacco.”
Nicotine is a mental stimulant and it stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain...but it also raises blood pressure..etc..just a trade off...why do you think the coffee and cigarette are paired so often?
If one peruses all the nasty side effects of cocaine, opiates, alcohol, marijuana one can see the same concept going on. Risk vs benefit. Different era...different chemicals. Same old reasons. Give me pleasure or I die!
The advertisers and manufacturers and sales people play on our desires...and make a good living. See any parallels with drug cartels and pushers and hip celebrities?
Science is never settled. Only math is.
Many, many moons ago, as a 9-10 year old boy, I sneaked into my mom’s purse for a Kool Menthol cigarette. I will never forget that first puff / taste. Felt like I was smoking a breath mint. Another time, I tried my father’s un-filtered Camel cigarettes. Another unforgettable experience and sensation, only this was one of pain, discomfort, and horrible. The pain went down my throat, esophagus and lungs. Never smoked anything else.
Generally available, then banned in the UK and the United States, the UK revoked the ban, and now available in 130 countries except the United States.
-PJ