Is it just the nicotine, or the METHOD of smoking that makes people addicted?

I believe that nicotine is the prime objective for smoking, however, I've found that the habit of pulling the cigarette and actually blowing the smoke out of your mouth is also addicting, too. Is this true? I am thinking of trying the nicotine patch, but will I miss the method of smoking and inhaling the nicotine?

Your right it's both. The addiction to nicotine and the hand to mouth action. If you are thinking of quiting you may want to invest in suckers to help with the hand to mouth action or using a straw. Both have worked for a lot of people. Keeping your hands busy basically.

It's both, really.

yes it is mainly the nicotine.

Not much, really. Just when you were used to lighting up automatically without thinking about it - like when you enter a car to drive - you immediately light up - so it will be awhile before that thought doesn't pop into your head when you get in the car. The activities that normally went along with smoking is the other "addictive" aspect of smoking - it's called habit. Like smoking while drinking coffee, while chatting with friends, after eating, etc. . .

If you think you'll miss pulling the smoke filled air into your lungs, get a straw and pull in clean air to imitate the puff.

Nicotine is the primary addiction / there is some reasoning that the method mimics nursing

It is the Nicotine and you won't miss smoking at all when you stop.

A nicotine patch works fine. I smoked unfiltered Pall Malls for years, and though it was very difficult for me to stop I did find my solution!

I did the patches that were removed at night. People don't smoke while they are sleeping! I then used the Step 1 patch 3 times longer than recommended, the #2 patch 2 times what was recommended. I quit the patch's before I completed step 3!

I found out that all smoke is stale, therer is no fresh smoke as I used to think when smoking

Tar gets everywhere and it is impossible to get rid off.

I don't cough, hack, or hack in the morning.

I can't stand smoke filled rooms as I find it hard to breathe in them.

The first few weeks I had the urge after the patches, I always thought of all of the negative things. nasty, dirty things associated with smoking! Including a total waste of time!

Smoke long enough and your risk for COPD or Lung Cancer are more likely than not!

Its both- I am 45 and smoked for 35 yrs and if you are serious about not smoking then go to your doctor and ask him if this newer drug called chantix would be right for you never take any replacement drugs without asking your dr. I went almost 4 weeks ago to get this drug and it is wounderful. I havent had a smoke in a week. the drug helps with all the withdrawls. and it pretty much tells your brain that you just had a smoke. this is the first anti smoking drug that r.j. reynolds and other tabacco co. are trying to get off the market because the success rate with this drug is extremly high. good luck on your journey. This is also the only anti-smoking drug that you can take and still smoke if you feel you have to. I went from 1 1/2 to 2 pks. a day down to 2 smokes a day in two days. marvelous drug.