Nicotine is a drug and causes addiction. Physically as well as psychologically. You’re forced to provide new supply. Maybe not in the beginning but pretty quickly. The anonymous alcoholics generally admit their addiction. This insight is the prerequisite for all efforts to become clean.

Smokers don’t like talking about their addiction. They would rather call it a habit. Although nicotine is similarly as addictive as heroin. Much quicker than alcohol anyways. No matter what you think of junkies, hardly anyone doubts, that they have a serious problem.

At least smokers have one less thing to worry about. They can obtain their substance legally. A powerful industry provides the state with billions in tax revenues. Their effective lobby and loyal politicians manage it seamlessly. You are only involved as a consumer. They only want your money, the rest doesn’t matter. They are powerful. They are called Reynolds, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International, Philip Morris and Reemtsma, to name a few of the big ones.

So you have engaged with dangerous people. You won’t get out of this easily. But it’s not hopeless. Who can prevent you from pronouncing your personal independence? Principally it’s a question of self-respect. And what does it cost you? Of course it’s unpleasant at first, but in return every minute you are rewarded with the feeling of strength and pride of making it through. This is definitely doable and is called the “end-period-method”.

For all who feel overwhelmed and don’t want to put themselves through so much abstinence and discontent, the following would be worth considering: Breaking with habits. E-cigarettes vaporize nicotine. So the replenishment is secured. But without the 4000 additives, that make tobacco smoke endurable and ruin your health. Long-term that is not a solution, because nicotine remains a poison that attacks the heart and circulation. But it’s the lesser evil. Many report to have quit smoking all together via e-cigarettes. Presumably the breaking with the habit of smoking “normal” cigarettes was enough to make smoking increasingly undesirable. Not to mention the saved money.