Full Idea
For a long time people had a reason not to smoke cigarettes, without knowing that they had such a reason.
Gist of Idea
In the past people had a reason not to smoke, but didn't realise it
Source
John Searle (Rationality in Action [2001], Ch.4)
Book Reference
Searle,John R.: 'Rationality in Action' [MIT 2001], p.99
A Reaction
What does 'had' a reason mean here? If I wish you dead, there is a reason why you should be dead, but you don't 'have' the reason, and never will have. There's probably a reason why I should never have been born.