[globular-toast]

This isn't the same for everyone and it nothing to do with willpower or discipline. My grandparents smoked for roughly 50 years before my grandfather's health deteriorated to the extent he was diagnosed with emphysema and admitted to hospital. My grandmother immediately disposed of all cigarettes and lighters in the house. Neither of them ever smoked again.

My grandfather lived for a few more years as his health declined further. About two years after his last cigarette he confided in me that not a day goes past where he doesn't crave a cigarette. But he never asked for one. He never caved.

My grandmother had a fairly strong physical reaction to quitting initially. She was shocked when her doctor told her the shaking was due to physical withdrawal. She said she felt no different to a heroin addict. But after this physical shock subsided, that was it. She never craved a cigarette again. What's more, she became disgusted by the smell of cigarette smoke encountered in public. It was simply gone from her life.

The difference here is in the psychologically addictive element of cigarettes. Both grandparents had the same physical addiction, but that's nothing. Anyone can overcome that. But the psychological element seemingly ranges from non-existent to unstoppable.

I have experienced the psychologically addictive nature of cigarettes myself, even though I've never smoked. A friend bought some cheap disposable, nicotine-free, e-cigarettes and gave me one. Initially I was going to take it apart and see how it worked. But I tried it, of course. Then I tried it again. And again. There's something about it. Suck through the little pipe. Fill your lungs. See it glow. Exhale the vapour/smoke. My usage was exponential, until it ran out. I immediately considered buying another one. Then I caught myself. I had become addicted to this thing. It's that easy.