Alcohol is probably the most damaging drug, but you are considered strange if you don't drink it at all. Tobacco has been known to be unhealthy for decades, but stayed legal.

I don't think climate change and COVID are as controversial as some may make out. You can get mavericks in science, but you need to be able to prove what you claim, unlike in politics. Certain people like to cause a panic about things like vaccines and now you have measles outbreaks in the US. Climate change is not caused by just one thing, but the fossil fuel companies may try to muddy the waters to justify their continued operation. It is a very complex system so you will get some odd things happening, but the trend to chaotic weather is pretty obvious. Vested interests try to avoid any responsibility.