I live there, being a smoker here is definitely looked down on as a weakness and ignorant. Notice that even you pointed out that many of the people you looked up to quit smoking, something that is more difficult for the less capable type people, and we know that, we are fully aware of the weakness today (and have been for decades).
Smoking cigarettes is down to about 19% of people, and they are not evenly distributed, it is the poor and uneducated that haven't moved on.
About 70% of smokers admit that they want to quit. Who do you think succeeds, the very groups that already have low smoking rates?
“Smoking cigarettes is down to about 19% of people”
You’ll find that % increased for more than you realize if you count the “closet smokers” who because of the social implications now will not do so in public. They prefer now to smoke without being hassled by former smokers.
Additionally you are wrong to assume most want to quit....many enjoy smoking and for that reason choose not to quit.