Hammer is the most adorable jackass on the internet I've ever met. I'd listen to him. You're not annoying in that "omg just SHUT.UP." sort of way.
Anyway, smoking. Yeah. I've quit... Four? Five times in my life? Maybe. Been quit for two years this time around. DS#2 asked me why I did it, and when I was going to stop. I quit the very next day. It sucks. I still crave nicotine even after two years. Almost went off the deep end a few times. Then that blue-eyed, freckle-faced boy popped into my head and I got over it. I do know that smoking raises inflammatory markers in the body. It also blocks the receptors that allow narcotic pain medication to work. So the back issue is entirely plausible. My joints ached and my Crohn's flared like nobody's business when I was smoking. I've felt pretty well since I quit.