 Despite some concerted efforts, restrictions and bans were largely ignored.When James I of England, a staunch anti-smoker and the author of "A Counterblaste to Tobacco", tried to curb the new trend by enforcing a 4000% tax increase on tobacco in 1604 it was unsuccessful, as suggested by the presence of around 7,000 tobacco outlets in London by the early 17th century.From this point on for some centuries, several administrations withdrew from efforts at discouragement and instead turned tobacco trade and cultivation into sometimes lucrative government monopolies.