I watched my uncle die of emphysema a long and very painful death where he literally near-suffocated with every breath he took until he finally mercifully died. He never smoked near me. I came home from a job every day, needing to have my clothing washed after only one wearing, because the stench of smoke from my office and the people around me seeped into it. I saw my friend’s baby have one upper respiratory infection after another, until her husband FINALLY quit smoking. I had more than one dinner out ruined before the no smoking/separate smoking area rules went into effect in public places, by being stuck near someone who puffed away while I was trying to enjoy a rare meal out with my husband. You see the problem with smokers is that they really do tend to believe that smoking is their absolute right NO MATTER WHAT. If they would wear a glass enclosure over their heads so that the only one exposed to their habit was themselves, I would have no problem with it at all.
BTW, I thought the topic was “a seemingly simple way to stop smoking” – not, “which of several stupid human vices is the worst.” They are ALL bad. And I thank modernorthodox for reminding me to what extent those other behaviors could possibly impact on innocent victims. I repeat – they are all bad. And certainly no responsible Rav would recommend that anyone indulge in any of them .