Any reason other than "I am addicted to nicotine" is just a lame excuse, and "I can quit anytime I want to, and I just don't want to" is just a lie.
Smokers are addicts. They know it. We know it. Everybody knows it.
They should all cut the crap and admit it.
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The mere fact that science may not yet adequately explain an object, event, or experience does not mean the immediate explanation should automatically default to a conspiratorial, extraterrestrial, paranormal, or supernatural cause.