Tobacco companies had to own up to the fact that smoking is harmful in the 1960s when undeniable evidence came out. People struggled to quit because it is somewhat addictive, but mainly because they enjoyed it.
Those companies then encouraged the rhetoric about it being more addictive than heroin. It isn’t. In my experience it’s less addictive than caffeine.
Here’s my history with nicotine:
- Smoked cigarettes from 15 - 26.
- Quit totally for 14 months
- My friend who smoked moved back to town and I smoked when I was with them.
- Switched to vaping 8 years ago.
- Quit vaping in January this year (2024).
I bought 30 cigars at the start of last month (April 2024) and have smoked 9 of them so far. I normally just have 1 a week if I’m having a beer at home but I went out drinking 2 nights in a row at the start of this month and smoked 6 over that weekend.
Am I addicted? Maybe, but I haven’t had any nicotine this week and don’t plan on having any next week either.
Nicotine addiction can be broken within 3 days of not consuming it.
The psychological habits, however, are way stronger to break. Your attestation that nicotine addiction isn’t that bad is true; it’s been studied to death and it’s not the chemical addiction that fucks people up. It’s the psychological conditioning stemming from when and how you’re smoking.
Pretty much anything concerning quitting smoking talks about this. The fact it’s an unpopular opinion is a bit concerning, since it’s not even an opinion. OP: you’re not addicted to nicotine, but the fact you still smoke says you’re addicted to the habit.