Essentially you'll have to ask someone who smokes for their opinion.

Consider it the last bastion against your stupidity.

Non Canadian chiming in out of boredom on a toilet. So feel free to ignore anything said, totally understand.

But, yeah, being able to see what you're buying should be a consumer right.

However, unless they refuse to show you products, it's only extra hoops to jump through, not a total block to comparison shopping. Think of it more like having to have a clerk get the razors out of the case for you just so you can read the back. It's annoying to everyone involved, but clear communication helps reduce that.

There's other products that you can't fully examine without an intermediary. Perfumes and colognes, jewelry, firearms, even cars. Yeah, you can visually confirm that what you're buying is that thing, but you can't take a test drive, or just spritz yourself or whatever.

While I agree that the reasoning behind it (out of sight, out of mind) is of limited efficacy, and that it's a hassle, I don't think it would infringe on consumer rights. You can still ask to be shown prices and packages to compare. It's just a major shift in culture that'll take adapting to for both staff and customers.

When I've had to shop for razor heads in places where they stay locked up, I just straight up tell whoever it is that I'm comparing brands, and ask how we can make that as low stress as possible. The responses vary, but it's pretty universal that they appreciate the respect shown for their time and energy. Tobacco shouldn't be any different in that respect.

An adult should be able to overcome these hurdles.

If you’re trying to switch to a lower nicotine or tar option, you don’t really have a way to compare or even know what’s available anymore.

Most people that look to quit smoking typically don't change brand, instead they cut back or switch to an alternative like vaping, patches or gum.

As an adult, should you actually have the right to see what legal products are available before buying them?

No, I don't think knowing what tobacco products a store carries should be a right. If you're not sure, you can just ask the person behind the counter. They'll tell you.

Most smokers I know buy the same brand every time and have never switched.

Sounds like a them problem.

the overwhelming majority of people just buy whatever they started with or the cheapest they can get...anyone "serious" about tobacco use just buys leaf and rolls their own, cigs are fucking disgusting with all their extra chemicals (there's killing yourself and then there's killing yourself)

The guy behind the counter can show you others, the internet can show you everything.

Love how every reply so far is condescending. It was a valid question and none of you had an answer.