hypochondria-by-proxy

It usually takes decades of effort directly polluting the body with tobacco smoke before someone becomes seriously ill because of it. The idea that a whiff of smoke in the air, or a thin coat of smoky tar on the walls, can put us in mortal danger is just laughable. Or, at least, it would be if the health authorities weren’t so keen to pounce upon each new study as a justification for ever-greater restrictions on lighting up.

- Advocacy research: what a filthy habit. New research suggesting ‘third-hand smoke’ is a major health hazard was spurred by policy, not hard science.