Hi Wintercat,
I hope my post didn't offend you, it certainly wasn't my intention to try to play down the dangers of smoking. I've heard many people say that smoking is the hardest thing to quit and I believe them, I know I'm in a very, very small minority of people who quit and never think about smoking a cigarette again. I wish I could say the same about alcohol!
I'm sorry to read about your family. My ex-wife (now best friend) is a smoker and I wish she would quit too, it scares me how dangerous and damaging to the body smoking is.