Public health often warns about tobacco industry interference—but what happens when tobacco control itself is captured by benevolent donors and non-profit organizations? In this GFN interview, economist Roger Bate explains why the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is uniquely vulnerable to outside influence, how Bloomberg-funded NGOs shape policy agendas upstream, and why this system consistently excludes tobacco harm reduction despite strong evidence.

When governments ban products, they don’t eliminate demand—they redirect it. That basic economic fact is especially important in nicotine policy, where people don’t simply stop using nicotine because a preferred product disappears. Flavored vaping bans are a case in point. Many states and some cities have enacted bans on in-store and/​or online sales of flavored vapes. However, adults also enjoy these flavored products, and many trying to quit smoking find it easier with flavored options.

Arizona received a failing grade in tobacco control efforts according to the American Lung Association's report. Despite an increase in funding to $22 million in 2026, the state still falls short of CDC recommendations. The report urges Arizona to improve funding for tobacco prevention programs and raise taxes on tobacco products to protect communities and reduce tobacco use.

Youth vaping is used to oppose adult access to nicotine vapes, though the issue is often exaggerated. New Zealand has successfully reduced youth vaping rates by implementing strict regulations without hindering harm reduction. The country's approach includes penalties for selling to minors and limiting marketing tactics. New Zealand's success in reducing smoking and youth vaping challenges misinformation and fear-mongering. In contrast, Australia's stringent vape restrictions have not yielded the same public health benefits. While New Zealand has made significant progress, challenges remain, especially among indigenous Māori youth.

Health Canada’s recent Tobacco Strategy progress report celebrates declining smoking rates and low youth smoking levels. The government aims to reduce tobacco use to under 5% by 2035. However, the report fails to differentiate effective nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) for quitting smoking. Around 300,000 Canadians quit smoking in 2024, with over half quitting unaided, 25% using NRTs collectively, and 21% turning to vaping products.