You’re wrong, cigarettes and booze are the “gateway drugs”. I have never known a pot smoker or crack smoker who did not start out and often continue cigarette smoking.
Tobacco is one of the GOOD drugs. The other is caffeine.
It helps productivity and concentration, improves mood, and relieves fatigue. The cost is statistically shortened life, but in vast majority of cases death happens at a relatively advanced age after the productive years are done. Also, by shorteningbold age it saves lifetime medical expenses and burden on pensions. You may consider that above as my modest proposal.