While I agree with the sentiment... especially for ultra low cost solutions, the availability of Pb-Free HASL, Organic coatings, and NiAu plating make Sn whiske

While I agree with the sentiment... especially for ultra low cost solutions, the availability of Pb-Free HASL, Organic coatings, and NiAu plating make Sn whiskers much less of an issue than they were 10+ years ago. Through-hole components again might be lowest cost tin coating, but that's also easily fixed. Incremental 10% cost increases can dramatically improve long term and high temp reliability. Most SMT parts are pretty safe, because the suppliers are afraid of contaminating their supply chain. Even for commodity parts (Cell phones and Laptops) PCBs and components are built to prevent problems with Sn. Certainly, in Automotive it's a big deal!