--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the principle is, \"Let's not get…" description: "\"If the principle is, \"Let's not get lethal substances out to the public\", the first one you'd go after is tobacco. The next one you'd go after is alcoh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b4/noam-chomsky-42_alcohol_if-the-principle-is-let-s-not-get-lethal_393854.jpg" --- # If the principle is, "Let's not get lethal substances out… ![“If the principle is, "Let's not get lethal substances out to the public", the first one you'd go after is tobacco. The next one you'd go after is alcohol. Way down the list you'd get to cocaine, and sort of invisibly low you'd get to marijuana.” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b4/noam-chomsky-42_alcohol_if-the-principle-is-let-s-not-get-lethal_393854.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b4/noam-chomsky-42_alcohol_if-the-principle-is-let-s-not-get-lethal_393854.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b4/noam-chomsky-42_alcohol_if-the-principle-is-let-s-not-get-lethal_393854.jpg) > “If the principle is, "Let's not get lethal substances out to the public", the first one you'd go after is tobacco. The next one you'd go after is alcohol. Way down the list you'd get to cocaine, and sort of invisibly low you'd get to marijuana.” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that substances like tobacco and alcohol are more harmful to the public than harder drugs, yet they are less regulated. **In simple terms:** Harder drugs are less regulated than more harmful legal substances. Key Takeaway Reevaluate drug policies based on harm, not legality. Themes public health policy harm reduction regulation substance control Mood critical concerned analytical Type policy social commentary critical When to use this quote - policy reform - public health campaigns - education - law enforcement - medical research Key Concepts risk assessment social justice addiction economics Questions to Reflect On - Should legal substances be regulated like illegal ones? - How can societies balance personal freedom with public health? A Different Perspective Legal substances cause more harm than illegal ones, complicating enforcement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alcohol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcohol/) [Cocaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cocaine/) [Marijuana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marijuana/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) ## Related quotes > [Suppose that the US really is trying to get rid of drugs in Colombia. Does Colombia then have the right to fumigate tobacco farms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/suppose-that-the-us-really-is-trying-to-get-rid-of-drugs-in-colombia/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The police can go to downtown Harlem and pick up a kid with a joint in the streets. 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