Money is only part of the problem. At least in Australia, the shortages of Doctors in regional areas is a problem that doesn't go away simply by throwing money at it. An unhealthy population strains what is a limited resource.
"There would be an estimated NZ$5 billion ($4.7 billion) in savings on future public health expenditure as a result of the plans." - NZ Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall
A saving of $5B/y would mean $8,333 per smoker, per year.
Don't forget that a typical smoker in NZ might pay about $5000/y in tobacco tax ($100/w for 2.5 packs or 1 pouch per week taxed at 80%+).
Let's call it a saving of $13,333/y then.
But wait! This $5B figure obviously can't be based on eliminating smoking, just a reduction. So the estimate must be based on saving much more than $13,333/y for each smoker this 'stops'.
On top of that, smokers on average die much younger than non-smokers. Healthcare costs are mostly accrued in old age.
Governments, when objectively correct, tend to release data to support their position. The only value in measuring expenditure alone is in how the uneducated interpret it as more favorable.
What you are saying here makes sense, but I wonder practically speaking how well a prohibition like this will work, given that universally whenever a government pushes back on some vice (alcohol or drugs, for example), it causes a backlash... I have to wonder if smoking is any different in this regard.
This is the best argument against a public health system. Once you turn it over, the government controls far more of your life than you bargained for. I suppose some people are OK with that. However, history is cold comfort to those of us who are skeptical.
I'd rather have public healthcare and a government that "controls far more of your life" than some faceless insurance company controlling my access to healthcare.
You can become far healthier by yourself by exercising basic self-control and using a little bit of open-minded health research than by paying lots of money to some profit-minded doctors. No insurance company needed!