Unfortunately, raising taxes doesn't do much to help a smoker quit. The tobacco guys who testified that "nicotine is not addictive" just plain lied.
Having seen increased tax on cigarettes and tobacco become part of the annual budget, along with increased liquor tax and increased tax at the pump, the UK government became addicted to the guaranteed revenue increases. When the Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived at 10 Downing Street on "Budget Day", it was always a big news event. British residents watched/listened intently to the news, to hear how much further the government was dipping into their pockets. It was never "if", but "how much?" as the line items were read out.
The UK government squandered that revenue, and today the UK National Health Service is a mess, and what Brits pay at the pump would give you sticker shock.