Discussions of how far the state may go in promoting the health of its population often start with John Stuart Mill’s principle of limiting the state’s coercive power to acts that prevent harm to others. Mill could have accepted requirements for health warnings on cigarette packs, and even graphic photos of diseased lungs if that helps people to understand the choice that they are making; but he would have rejected a ban.
通常认为，关于国家在促进人口健康方面可以走得多远的讨论发轫于约翰·穆勒的原则——国家强制权力应以防止他人受到伤害为界。穆勒可能会接受必须在香烟包装盒上印健康警告的要求，如果肺病图像有助于人们理解他们的选择所带来的后果，穆勒可能也会同意加上它，但他不会支持禁售香烟。