You are raising some pretty good points. The rate of tobacco use has not really dropped in the last 20 years. We need to understand why.

Higher taxes do change behavior. Just because more than a few do not change is not a reason to drop the stick that seems to affecting everyone else.

As far as baidaid solution go, I'm in fair agreement with you. Our system of governance is not designed for more effective solutions. It's time for a new way:

https://medium.com/discourse/tiered-democratic-governance-3f36a8f45660