Even though I haven't been able to completely stop smoking anymore, I am getting used to reducing my dependence on cigarettes. Usually I could consume two packs every day, but now it has started to decrease to one pack. Luckily you have been able to avoid smoking addiction, try not to be tempted anymore, you will get many benefits from quitting smoking.
I personally know a man who smokes everyday, and when I suggest to him about smoking less for the sake of his own health, he has told me smoking is important to him, because it helps him to relieve anxiety.
Though, I had always thought anxiety was created by the addiction to nicotine itself but not so long ago (thanks to his explanation) I learnt that tobbacco can be effectively good for people who suffer from stress not to feel stressed and keep themselves relaxed while facing their job duties.
That explains why it is so difficult for some people to completely quit smoking.
Another person who used to be a smoker has told me that sometimes he feels like smoking, even though he completely quit cigarettes about 20 years ago. Though, he managed not to smoke again and stay away from it. I guess people like me, who do not smoke, underestimate how addictive nicotine can be.
That nicotine reduces stress? Addiction speaks. Nicotine's withdrawal and relief cycle fools smokers into thinking it relieves stress. No, it's the cause. What about ex-smokers' "desire"? It's just the brain's addiction memory. Breaking free requires changing one's stress and health attitude, not just quitting. Making sensible, healthy decisions is hard, but nobody said it was simple. It's worth it every time
I already helped him to calculate how much money he is spending daily on filing his addiction or dependence to cigarettes and I have also noticed how everytime I get closer to talk to him he smells like tobacco. He is one of those smokers who have embraced (at least for now) tobacco as part of his life, he has been smoking for at least 14 years now.
I don't know how it must feel to be a smoker like he his, but nicotine must have certainly some powerful effects on ones brain if one is willing to stick to it for that long while being aware of the long term damage it can be done to one's lungs. I have seen people who try to fight the dependence through the use of screwing gum, but while it may help to reduce anxiety, it does not help much with the chemical dependence the person has on nicotine.