Two top answers there. An example!! I was a very heavy smoker (and loved it), never had a cough, was energetic to a fault. When I gave it up, I found myself getting bad tempered, irritable and having no patience. Being a truckie, I would, if anything had gone wrong, roll a smoke while I thought about the problem, instead of throwing tools away in anger. I'm glad I gave up smoking but, if someone was to tell me that it didn't affect your health, I would gladly take it up again.

Ah, the ignorantly worded non-smoker question.

Why do people THINK they "NEED" a cigarette to relax?

Why do SMOKERS NEED a cigarette to relax? would be a better wording.

If you haven't ever smoked, I don't think it is fair to judge those who do, or to comment on why they do what they do.

Anyway, a smoker needs a cigarette to relax because nicotine calms your nerves down, also, you tend to sit, and just think for a few moments, and really just relax. Nicotine is an addictive substance, after about an hour, you start to feel the need for it, stress intensifies this feeling, and especially at work when I am running around, dealing with angry customers, etc, the chance to stop for a few moments by going outside to smoke is intensely relaxing. It is one of those things you can't understand unless you are a smoker.

There is a reason for us to smoke, we weren't addicted at birth, and almost everyone who smokes regularly knows they are addicted, but the feeling, and relaxation of smoking outweighs the known health problems we risk.

people get addicted, and don't like to admit to addiction, and use the excuse that it relaxes them for a reason to smoke. also the breathing in and out involved when smoking can be relaxing, thats why when a person is stressed they take deep breathes to relax..

For me, smoking has always been one of the best ways to meet people at random.
If you walk up to someone and ask for a smoke, and they share, there is your opening for a fantastic conversation. In the past two weeks I've met 5 amazing people I never would have talked to because I was smoking, and I hope to keep in touch with them.

The 'need' comes for a plethora of reasons. Some have already been stated, by bazza and KKurbs, for example. Also, when the body starts to feel deprived of nicotine, after forming an expectation for it, irritability is the least of your worries. Sweating, anger, unfocused thinking and pain that can't be ignored are all symptoms. There comes a time for many smokers who continue to smoke merely to avoid the withdrawals.

Physically, nicotine does cause stress on the body, and is self-perpetuating in that way. As a stimulant, nicotine will boost your levels of energy enough that the stress does seem to lessen, but as that 15-minute burst dissipates the stress is still there. Basically, it puts a smoke signal between the stress and you. [:)>]

These are some of the many reasons why people smoke: Smoke screen between the real stress; social factors; quick energy fix; meditation time to think things over, and; fear of withdrawals.