Well. Speaking only for myself, I know I fall right smack into those statistics. When I smoked, especially when I brojke a quit, I absolutely loathed myself. I know it may sound like psychobabble (the psycho part for sure!), but in my experience, self-loathing is the root of self-destructive behavior. E.g, I can't even quit smoking, so what's the point of trying to maintain some semblance of health in other areas of my life?
On the other hand, when I see success over the nicotene addiction, I am motivated to apply that success to other areas, including nutrition and exercise. Others across these forums have also pointed out that smoking tends to "mask" negative responses to everyday situations that annoy us, such as a bad work situation, a bad home situation, or a bad relationship. Smoke either to cover it up, help ignore it, or just get through it. Take away the smoke, though, and there's suddenly room for a positive response. (More psychobabble: A positive response characterized by the "I" statements: "You know, when this happens, I feel like ____.") Addressing such statements in an appropriate way to the appropriate person opens all kinds of doors to deepened relationships, whether at home, work, or wherever.
So I gotta agree with the study, as least insofar as it applies to me, myself, and I alone. In my own life, at its very simplest, smoking is a way I have of looking at myself: smoke, because I'm not really worth living for; don't smoke, because oh yes I am.
Just my two cents....
peteg
