You’re right, we didn’t answer the question, we avoided it.
I think the answer is that most people would stop, but some are so addicted that they wouldn’t.
Your next question is probably: since it’s assur anyhow because of sakana, what’s the difference.
The answer is twofold. First, not everyone holds it’s assur, and smokers rationalize based on the opinions which are mattir. Second, we are culturally and emotionally conditioned to avoid tarfus, so it’s less of a nisayon.