Why do leaders make so many dumb decisions. I mean preying on addicts does not stop people smoking. It just makes people more broke and creates more crime as so many stores have been robbed for cigarettes to the point retailers have to lock them in safes at night because they are so expensive and people are addicted and addicts will do anything for there hit no matter what the addiction is, and nicotine is highly addictive. That's why people go around picking up all the cigarette butts off the streets to roll up.
It's an addiction, and addictions are real, hoovering addicts cash through taxes in the hope they will give up is just plain stupid. The people who make the rules are not addicts and never smoked so they have no idea how to go about it. They think making it expensive is the solution. Dumb. I don't think the politicians intentions were bad but they have no idea, on top of smoking is a free choice for those over 18, yes everyone knows it's bad for the health but still, it's taxing peoples free choice in the hope they will quit. Rehab centres do a better job.
It has worked for some, I know people who have quit because of the cost, but many have not and struggle, and also it brings a lot of crime in society. The local shops here have been robbed for cigs multiple times in the last couple years, before that nothing. So it's really a big tragedy for a little reward. Many retailers don't even want to sell smokes anymore they sick of being robbed, but of course the government will not connect the two and admit the cause of these crimes.