'Business Models': Addict Them Nice and Early

Both nicotine and money can be highly addictive to some folk. The business model of the Tobacco companies was endangered by the recognition that smoking was clearly linked to lung cancer and many other health issues. Vaping was one solution to their cashflow problem. Another more recent solution seems to be the enrolling of highly-paid 'influencers' to convince their 'followers' that nicotine pouches are a 'cool lifestyle product that you should try out even if you are not a smoker'. Some of their followers are as young as 12 (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/12/instagram-influencers-advertising-nicotine-products-to-young-people-charity-warns). It seems ridiculous that Tobacco companies are allowed to attempt to recruit life-long users by producing and marketing these highly addictive nicotine products. Campaigns directed at highly suggestive children are obscene. It's worth repeating that, if nicotine was discovered today, it would have a hard time being legalised in many countries. Hiding behind the claim that vaping and nicotine pouches are helpful in weaning smokers off tobacco, is overdone.