Why did successive Australian governments decide to target smoking to a greater extent than other Western countries?

I'm currently travelling through Europe, and one thing that really stands out is that smoking is far more common and widespread than in Australia. Even here in Switzerland, it's common for places to reek of cigarette smoke.

In contrast, Australia heavily taxes tobacco, to the extent that it has resulted in some problems like an increase in vaping and violent crime between illegal tobacco dealers.

But why did Australia decide to target smoking in the first place? Is it utilitarian (i.e. because smoking-related disease is a burden on the health system)? Or is the real reason something more corrupt and sinister?