Probably going to get shot down saying this, however we must stop calling it an illness, it panders to the addictive behaviours. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances there is. Nobody calls that an illness and plenty of people quit smoking through sheer will power and determination, myself included. It isn’t an illness it is a choice and addicts of alcohol and drugs have far more support than those that are addicted to nicotine. Nobody ever said I had an illness and I never saw it as an illness. I gave up when pregnant to protect my unborn children and because of the financial cost, swimming with the kids or a 20 a day habit …, no contest.
If I had a pound for every time I heard ‘I am sorry’ ‘ I can’t help it’ ‘nobody understands what it’s like’ I would be rich and actually I do know what it’s like, nicotine withdrawal isn’t exactly a walk in the park and I sometimes want a cigarette but choose not to, the craving doesn’t go. The poor me mantra now goes straight over my head. They do it because they like the highs and prefer that to facing into real life and all the problems that come with it. I personally think it’s a cop out. A way not to be responsible, a way not to have to have a mundane life a way to run away from the problems they have created. It is not an illness. Cancer is an illness.
Sorry if I have offended anyone.