That’s not Whataboutism. Cigarette taxes are excise taxes, very similar to tariffs, and often implemented to encourage behavior by raising commodity cost.

In the case of cigarettes and alcohol they are partially “sin taxes” to discourage negative behavior.

In the case of the Trump emergency tariffs, they are seeking to pivot the entire economy.

So there’s a nuance and multiple ways to look at it. If you’re GM, the ability to make better margins on shitty cars is a net positive. If you’re in the technology or medical field, well, you’re fucked.