Coffee, Nicotine, and the Politics of Acceptable Addiction
December 22, 2025 by brownstone.org
Coffee, Nicotine, and the Politics of Acceptable Addiction
Caffeine is socially accepted and even praised, while nicotine is often stigmatized as a vice. Both substances are mild stimulants that increase alertness and can lead to dependence. Neither is inherently harmful in non-combustible forms, yet society treats them very differently. This contrast reflects cultural attitudes rather than scientific evidence. Essentially, the moral judgment placed on nicotine is inconsistent with its actual effects compared to caffeine.
