Addiction

Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which forms a strong physical and psychological chemical dependence (addiction). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine." Dependence is strongest when tobacco smoke is inhaled into the lungs and increases with quantity and speed of nicotine absorption. Although nicotine may be physically addictive, the psychological addiction is the key to quitting. The secret lay in debunking the myth that smoking gives the smoker certain benefits, like relieving stress or curing boredom. Once a smoker realizes he or she no longer needs to smoke, the physical addiction is easily handled. The real withdrawal from nicotine causes no pain and most smokers can't pinpoint the exact location of the withdrawal. Its just an uneasy feeling of insecurity that, when backed up by the psychological addiction, produces the crazes that smokers experience. Interesting that a smoker can be calm one moment, but when he realizes that he has just smoked his last cigarette, he suddendly starts craving them and will do anything to get them. Clearly, smoking is mostly mental.