3 min read
Pragmatic Policy: What Happens When We Accept That Nicotine Isn't Going Away
Nicotine has been used by humans for 10,000 years. It is not going to disappear because we passed a law. Pragmatic policy accepts that nicotine use will continue—and focuses on making it as safe as possible.
The abstinence framework says: nicotine use must be eliminated. The pragmatic framework says: nicotine use will persist, and our job is to minimize the harm. **Pragmatic policy accepts human nature—people use substances because substances provide benefits—and focuses on making that use as safe as possible. It's less morally satisfying than the abstinence vision. It's also more effective.**
