If the obscene taxes were really about reducing smoking rates they'd be used to fund tobacco replacement therapies such as gum and patches so they'd be available free.
For that matter nicotine vaping products wouldn't be banned. Nicotine itself isn't the harmful part of smoking.
We all know tax is the trains gravy and that's the real addiction problem.

-Armchair. Don't be guilt tripped ol'mate.
-Individual. That's funny, and so true.

Yes A.C. Everything you say is essentially true. Governments seemed to be able to do more with less. Then privatised as if it was a worthy goal for inherently incompetent governments from both sides of the aisle. That added insult to injury by squandering mining booms 1 and 2!

And followed that by selling the country and iconic industries to foreigners, sent our manufacturing base offshore with price gouged, privatised energy that in too many cases was higher than the wages bill.

And as the world moves to address climate change, we threaten to boycott a bank who doesn't embrace sovereign risk or stranded assets! And moves to reduce taxes on mostly the rich, who like a couple of now-famous ministers, a treasurer and finance minister were seen to be enjoying a couple of very fine Havanas out the back of parliament.

That said and set aside, quitting is difficult as you make it and until you really and truly want to! And when your won't power is stronger than your will power. During the period of withdrawal, avoid coffee, tea and alcohol.

Remember the most intense cravings last only for minutes and when your hands are idle! Understand that the most powerful of these craving last for not much longer than 14 days, thereafter, to diminish with time.

That believing you can get there by gradually reducing consumption is self-delusional. If you want to quit? And that's a big if, then you need to actually be the master, not the slave!

And throw your lighter and gaspers in the bin and then fight your cravings until you control them, not visa versa. In truth, all successful quitters will tell you the same! Only cold turkey puts you back in charge of what you imbibe or partake of! Patches and gum may help but only deal with cravings, but not the nicotine addiction!

The good news is, your lungs will return to near normal after three years as a non-smoker, so will your sense of smell and taste.
Good luck, Alan B.

your lungs will return to near normal after three years as a non-smoker,
Alan B,
My personal experience as a former unfiltered cigarette smoker still makes me gasp for air at times 28 years after quitting.
I'm just glad at the amount of money no longer wasted. I simply can not believe the cost of smoking nowadays ! It's outright insane !

The only criminals I know of operating out of SE Asia are all Chinese.

I see a lot of Chinese smoking around Sydney and lots of discarded packets of Chinese cigarettes in the garbage so I reckon just put two and two together.

You will probably find that half of the Malaysian Chinese criminals live in Sydney and Melbourne in high class suburbs and send their children to the best private schools.

All part of Australia now being an Asian nation-state I suppose.

Cost was never going to stop us smoking. Was in fact considering growing our own tobacco. Would've too.

The conscious decision to stop came after an afternoons fishing out in the dingy. Wet fingers, couldn't wait to get ashore to have a smoke without it going out or falling apart wet. That evening it struck how pathetic it was the fags were ruling me. That was that.
Nicotine gum helped but it was mostly that I'd made the decision.
Had been getting bouts of chest inflammation so that boosted motivation to actually stick it out this time round.

The stupid socialists cost imposts and taunts had nothing to do with it.
Funnily, have had a number of 'em excitedly ask if it was the price that made me quit. Seeking confirmation no doubt. Never sorry to disappoint them.

Most socialists who are against smoking cigarettes are in fact heavy Cannabis smokers ! They say it's for medicinal purposes & in a way they're right because it deadens the brain !