Abstract

Endgame proposals strive for a tobacco‐free (or at least cigarette‐free) society. Some endgame proposals are radical and include, for example, a complete ban on cigarettes. Setting aside empirical worries, one worry is ethical: would such proposals not go too far in interfering with individual freedom? I argue that concerns around freedom do not speak against endgame proposals, including strong proposals such as a ban on cigarettes. I first argue that when balancing freedom with public health goals in tobacco control, the latter win out. But I also argue that, in principle, a concern with freedom itself already justifies endgame measures. First, such measures can increase people's lifetime freedom, that is, the freedom they have across their entire lives. Second, such measures can facilitate a better interpersonal distribution of freedom by increasing aggregate societal freedom and by reducing inequalities. Overall, freedom does not preclude strict tobacco control but supports it.

Highlights

  • | TOBACCOCO NT R O L AN DFREE DO M so‐called endgame proposals have received growing attention: rather than trying to reduce smoking, their aim is complete eradication or, Smokers lose around 10 years in life expectancy.1 An estimated one in depending on formulation, at least reducing smoking to very low two smokers die of smoking‐related conditions, with an estimated eight numbers

  • Note that within the endgame discussion, there is some disagreeonly country so far, Bhutan has even instituted a ban on sale of ment about whether electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or other cigarettes—as I write this, they have paused the ban forms of harm reduction products should form part of a strategy to move because of the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic

  • I introduce freedom of choice in Section 2, cigarette ban, not excessively paternalistic and violate respect for argue that public health concerns outweigh a concern with freedom individual freedom?

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Summary

Document Version

Publication date: Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database. Citation for published version (APA): Schmidt, A. Freedom of choice and the tobacco endgame. More information can be found on the University of Groningen website: https://www.rug.nl/library/open-access/self-archiving-pure/taverneamendment. If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim For technical reasons the number of authors shown on this cover page is limited to 10 maximum

TH E OUT WEIGH I NG CLA I M
Findings
How robust are these arguments across theories of freedom?
Full Text
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