IMO, education had a far larger affect in reducing smoking than the taxes ever did. Ive never known one person to quit smoking because it was too expensive, only for their health. Now that I think about it, Im not sure Ive ever seen anyone quit any vice due to cost.
Ah, but don't the taxes pay for the education campaigns?
I dunno. Arent all taxes simply put into a pool? Meaning, whatever revenue is generated from tax on cigarettes isnt put into a solitary account to be used only for anti-smoking educational campaigns, its used for whatever public and social programs that feed off tax monies. I suppose some tax money is used for that but the billions made each year in cigarette tax cant possibly be used soley for education.
Im not arguing that the taxes dont have some benefit overall, Im saying I dont think they directly contribute to the decline in use of (x) product. People will always find a way to fund their vice of choice.