Most of the crowd I grew up with were heavy smokers. Only one was hospitalized, and he was told if he kept smoking he would die. That was good enough for him. Today, none of "the crowd" smoke. Still drink like fish, but not smokers anymore.

Public awareness of cancer etc has worked. I think the government will continue to target smokers until they cannot raise their quota of revenue. They will most likely increase the tax on drinkers.

If the government could tax illegal drugs, then it would be a massive windfall for them.