摘要
對於個人吸菸行為，政府除了提供衛生教育，並要求菸商揭露足以影響消費者選擇的資訊外，是否還有正當性進行更強力的干預？政府為確保人民健康，從法律和公共政策倫理的觀點來看，可以採取哪些菸害防制措施、介入到甚麼程度，固然可以透過如合憲性審查以及公衛倫理架構來加以檢視；但是當前菸害防制的一些困難，包括吸菸者感受到的社會排斥，以及日益嚴重的健康不平等，讓作者認為有必要跳脫傳統法律與公衛論述，嘗試透過對個人自由與權利的理解，重新檢視吸菸這項看似簡單的個人行為所牽涉到的幾個面向，包括政府角色的衝突、影響吸菸決擇的個人與社會因素、以及菸商的角色。由於企業和政府都對個人生活有巨大影響力，我們不應只檢視政府的介入，而放任企業行銷；追求選擇的自由，必須從自我的真實利益為出發點，多方檢驗影響吸菸行為的政策和社會因素。作者也強調，要努力達成健康上的平等，無法對吸菸與社會階級間的聯結視而不見。雖然以各種政策手段阻止社會弱勢者吸菸是有德性的，但縮減社會階級之間的差距，讓弱勢者的生活更有展望，而減少對菸的需求，才是符合正義的。
並列摘要
To curb problems associated with smoking, is it justifiable for the government to intervene more actively than to provide health education and request the tobacco industry to disclose information which might distort consumer choice? The range and stringency of health policies could certainly be examined by constitutional review and public health ethics frameworks, however, some difficulties encountered by current tobacco control policies, including the social exclusion experienced by smokers and intensifying health inequality, urged the authors to re-examine, through perspectives of freedom and rights, the conflicting roles of the government, the complex factors affecting personal decision to take up smoking, and the influence of the tobacco industry. Because the industry possesses power no less than the state, it is never enough to only criticize governmental policies while leaving the industry unchecked. To ensure real interest of individuals, the freedom to choose should be put in the context of policy and social environments. The authors also emphasize that the association between smoking and social classes cannot be neglected in the pursuit of health equity. Although it might be virtuous to implement policies to deter the disadvantaged from smoking, justice can only be achieved by reducing the disparity between classes and enhancing the life prospects of the less privileged, therefore reducing the need to smoke.