This is def a cash grab IMO.... The aim is to grab as much cash as possible whilst winning as many, and losing as few votes as possible - i.e. they grab it where they can get away with it.
Disposables and the media attention have enabled them to get away with it in principle. So now they're just maximising the $ that they can get from this lucrative new avenue.
The drop in fag tax revenue is related too I think... I can't imagine that they are blind to the fact that less smokers will now give up. But from their financial standpoint this is a win win. Either they get tax from smokers or vapers, whatever they decide to do.
I don't think facts like whether more smokers than non-smokers give up really factor into their decision making outside of PRs. Those considerations are good optics, nothing more.
It's about the money. It's always about the money.