Government has to be careful here. If they admit they were harmful, they would have a hand in the liability. They have funded the production of tobacco and profited from its sale.
"They have funded the production of tobacco and profited from its sale."
Profited moreso than any other party in the supply chain, including the growers and the tobacco companies themselves. Who gets the biggest payoff from "Big Tobacco?" Why, it's the federal government.
Good thought!. The government is liable for taxing tobacco and not prohibiting its sale. The day will come when sick people will sue the government instead of the tobacco companies.
Heck, I have old Abbott and & Costellos with cigarette ads stating the AMA recommend smoking because it is good for you.