Substituting a social definition for the scientific one, however, is. Physical withdrawal from cocaine is nowhere near as intense as that of the opiates. But once you include psychological effects, then just about anything you care to name becomes an addiction - the heavy gambler becomes the gambling addict, obese people become food addicts, heavy drinkers become alcohol addicts, and people who smoke become nicotine addicts. It's an addiction, it must be stamped out. I am more an aficionado than an addict, though I don't deny that I am somewhat of the latter.
Smoking is a whole experience that's impossible to describe to an incognocenti.
Smoking, for me, is a purely reflective and relaxing act of luxurious indulgence, and often a sort of meditation. If you smoke you are either a moron or a murderer or more than likely both. And soon you will either be dead or be caged. And maybe in some states you will be executed. Hopefully it will be televised although furiously sucking on that last cigarette may fuzz up the video somewhat.