Nicotine is probably the most addictive substance there is, it’s more addictive than heroin. Granted, the effects are different (in particular withdrawal from heroin is worse) but the way nicotine hooks you is far stronger than anything else. 20 years ago Imperial College London ranked drugs out of 6 for addiction and effects, nicotine was 6 for addiction while heroin was 5 (as an aside, cannabis was 2 for addiction, 3 for strength; while caffeine was 3 for addiction and 2 for strength). Also, while you point out how everything smelled and everyone was hooked, nicotine (and caffeine) helped fuel the industrial revolution - the commercial tobacco situation of the late 20th century was very late in the period of society’s consumption of the drug.
Point being, if your wariness with addiction is because of your experience with cigarettes that’s valid, but that’s pretty much the worst it gets.
However, the real issue is the mental part of addiction. The physical part draws you to it, but the mental part of addiction is what makes you want to do it. Almost all addictions like this are rooted in some form of escapism, where the person wants to avoid something negative in their life. It really is a mental health and societal wellbeing problem first and foremost.
Nicotine is probably the most addictive substance there is, it’s more addictive than heroin. Granted, the effects are different (in particular withdrawal from heroin is worse) but the way nicotine hooks you is far stronger than anything else. 20 years ago Imperial College London ranked drugs out of 6 for addiction and effects, nicotine was 6 for addiction while heroin was 5 (as an aside, cannabis was 2 for addiction, 3 for strength; while caffeine was 3 for addiction and 2 for strength). Also, while you point out how everything smelled and everyone was hooked, nicotine (and caffeine) helped fuel the industrial revolution - the commercial tobacco situation of the late 20th century was very late in the period of society’s consumption of the drug.
Point being, if your wariness with addiction is because of your experience with cigarettes that’s valid, but that’s pretty much the worst it gets.
However, the real issue is the mental part of addiction. The physical part draws you to it, but the mental part of addiction is what makes you want to do it. Almost all addictions like this are rooted in some form of escapism, where the person wants to avoid something negative in their life. It really is a mental health and societal wellbeing problem first and foremost.