Smoking revenue outweighed risks, Macmillan told Cabinet - The Telegraph 30th May 2008

Harold Macmillan dismissed the dangers of smoking to the nation’s health, saying that the financial benefits to the Treasury far outweighed the health risks, according to newly released records. He claimed the threat posed by smoking was “negligible, compared with the risk of crossing a street”. Macmillan, an enthusiastic pipe and cigar smoker, urged against warning the public of the risks. He made his remarks while chancellor of the exchequer in Sir Anthony Eden’s government.

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Macmillan ignored smoking warning - BBC Health News 30th May 2008