I believe that Lin Zexu's feat of banning smoking is a very influential event in the history of China, and I believe everyone is deeply impressed by it. After all, the smoking ban in those days increased the ambition of Chinese people. He was hailed as the first person to introduce international law into China. He also suppressed the "the legendary swordsman" and became famous overseas. Unfortunately, his career was framed by this feat and was finally relegated to the frontier. But Lin Zexu is obviously positive on the issue of smoking ban. Why was he demoted?

First, the destruction of opium in Humen has a great social impact. Before the opium was destroyed in Humen Incident, Qing officials were divided into two groups on the issue of smoking ban: one group advocated smoking ban, and they not only suggested smoking ban, but also suggested that smokers should be treated again and quit smoking for one year. If they smoke again, they will be executed. As a result, only eight governors, including Lin Zexu, agreed with this view. On the other hand, the other school blames the harm of tobacco on other social problems for various reasons. Only a few people advocate smoking ban, and even Daoguang Emperor is hesitant about smoking ban. It can be seen that before the Humen Incident destroyed opium, the opinions of the Qing court on opium were not unified. In the confrontation between the two sides, Lin Zexu's enemy obviously gained the upper hand. Therefore, from the bureaucratic system, Lin Zexu's demotion is hard to avoid.

Secondly, the destruction of opium in Humen created a seemingly reasonable excuse for Britain to launch the Opium War. The financial situation of the Qing court went from bad to worse, and officials paid little attention to national defense and armaments, and their control ability was poor. Therefore, when Emperor Daoguang saw the British attack northward and arrived at Dagukou, Tianjin, he began to waver. A few days later, Emperor Daoguang approved Anh Thu, allowed trade, and punished Lin Zexu before the British ship was withdrawn to Guangzhou.

Third, the huge problems faced by Qing society and the disparity in war capacity at that time made the country face the inevitable result of failure at the beginning of the first Opium War. Since the war failed, the Qing court had to find someone to take the blame, and Lin Zexu's measures to sell cigarettes and ban smoking in Guangzhou obviously angered the British, so he became the best "scapegoat" in this matter, and it was natural that Lin Zexu was demoted to Xinjiang.