Is Prohibition Making Things Worse? | GFN Voices 2026

The debate over prohibition often focuses on intentions, but the real question is whether restrictive policies achieve their public health goals. As governments around the world consider tighter controls on nicotine and tobacco products, evidence continues to raise important questions about the unintended consequences of prohibition, including the growth of illicit markets, the role of organized crime, lost tax revenue, and reduced access to lower-risk alternatives for adults who smoke.