The reason a pack of cigarettes can cost between 400 PHP and 900 PHP in other countries (and alcohol even more) is because the currency there is in dollars, and so are the salaries of their residents.

In the Philippines, most of the smokers and drinkers are poor. Depriving them of their habits is like the Americans depriving the Balangiga residents of food (which they actually did), resulting in a revolt and a massacre.

Besides, we grow tobacco in the Philippines, and not all countries do.