“Remotely” here refers to the proximity to tobacco; if something is remotely as dangerous as tobacco, that’s to say that it comes… somewhat close to tobacco, but tobacco’s still tops =/ To say that it doesn’t even come remotely close is an exaggeration to emphasize the writer’s intense hatred for tobacco… or not.

In other words,

“There is no other consumer product on the market that comes close to being as dangerous (or comes close to killing as many people as) as tobacco. ” Tobacco is OUTTA SIGHT!

=P Hope that helps!

TobaCCo

Oh, and alcohol is a consumer product that kills not only those who consume it, but innocents as well- just like smoke. I would say the original statement is not entirely correct using the word “remotely”.

Far removed in connection or relevance: a cause remote from everyday concerns