Smoking., Habit forming, or not? Options

[Kontroll]

I've been debating this question in my head for a while. Do ciggarette cause an addiction or is it merely just a habit?

If it were addicting, wouldn't you be addicted to it the first time you smoked? It doesn't have to be drastic, but a slight addiction.

I feel that it is just a habit because you have to keep doing it. It's like biting your nails. You keep doing it out of habit.

Does anyone agree? Or not. Haha.

[Kontroll]

I guess. I've heard that most people who actually get lung cancer are non smokers.

How do you explain those that have been smoking their entire lives and are still alive without cancer or anyother disease that is associated with smoking?

[alysaphobia]

I guess. I've heard that most people who actually get lung cancer are non smokers.

i don't think so.
the american lung association website says that 87% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. there is an estimate that 162,460 people will die from lung cancer in the US in 2006. so 141,340 (or 87%) will die from lung cancer caused by smoking, while only approximately 3000 people will die from lung cancer caused by second-hand smoke.

How do you explain those that have been smoking their entire lives and are still alive without cancer or anyother disease that is associated with smoking?

like mipadi said, diseases are dependant on a host of factors, not just one source. it also depends on how frequently you smoke, how much you smoke and other health-related choices in your lifestyle.