How would the change in attitude toward smoking over the last 50 years be viewed through the three analytical perspectives? (conflict,...

The pervasive attitude toward smoking and smokers has definitely shifted over the last 50 years, from favorable (or at least neutral) to unfavorable. Each of the dominant three theoretical perspectives has a different way of interpreting this shift.

A conflict theorist would view the change in attitudes towards smoking as a means of controlling supply, thereby keeping common goods out of the reach of the underclass. As taxes are piled on cigarettes and new legislation...

The pervasive attitude toward smoking and smokers has definitely shifted over the last 50 years, from favorable (or at least neutral) to unfavorable. Each of the dominant three theoretical perspectives has a different way of interpreting this shift.

A conflict theorist would view the change in attitudes towards smoking as a means of controlling supply, thereby keeping common goods out of the reach of the underclass. As taxes are piled on cigarettes and new legislation promotes fines for smokers, those in the underclass are forced to either quit smoking -- a solution conflict theorists would view as paternalistic -- or spend money they do not have to afford goods that are marked up at a higher percentage than other retail goods.

A functionalist would view the change in attitudes towards smoking as a means of generating revenue. States, counties, cities, and townships have been able to fund projects through raising taxes on cigarettes, and levying fines on smokers. Functionalists would also likely view the reduction in smoking across most demographics as a natural ebb of the marketplace, one that another good or service will fill.

A symbolic interactionist would view the change in attitudes towards smoking as a meaningful change in attitudes regarding personal health. Though 50 years ago the science around smoking was already grim, advertising executives aided the general public in viewing smoking as sexy, macho/feminine, cool, fun behavior. After large settlements by the tobacco industry, science linking cigarettes to cancer, and the removal of cigarette ads from television, smokers and smoking are viewed as unhealthy and in need of intervention.