I think anxiety disorders can also trap people in a smoking habit. I've heard that nicotine withdrawal can cause panic attacks. I've never smoked but I know wha

I think anxiety disorders can also trap people in a smoking habit. I've heard that nicotine withdrawal can cause panic attacks. I've never smoked but I know what panic attacks are like and they really try the will power; they're so horrible that you'll do anything (except for something immediately dangerous) that you think can end one. Given how rapidly an ex-smoker "unquits" after lighting up the first time, one can imagine it being hard (for some) to get out of. It does seem to be highly variable how hard it is for people to get out of the habit. Some just stop one day and lose the desire, but I also know a number of people who've "quit" several times but always fall back into it.