This has been going on for over twenty years, and I was aware of it, but the prevailing opinion among the pros was that so few were doing it that it didn't much matter.
It all came to a head this year because, in the crazy humid conditions of Jeddah, doctoring the cue ball appears to have been a more widespread practice.
Pool didn't really get caught snoozing here, but now that two of the Matchroom majors (World 9ball and Philippines Open) are going to be contested in super-humid conditions, managing this situation has greater immediacy than ever.
Again, it serves no great purpose to look back, but the heightened awareness of this issue gives pool an opportunity to better itself through modification of its practices and rules.