In my opinion, quitting smoking is a lot similar to quitting other addictive things. Some of us have been addicted to alcohol, some of us to other substances......probably the most notable being marijuana. Whether the addiction is physical, psychological or both, the process is similar. It involves our minds, and the most prominent thing we do when continuing the addiction (once it has been recognized) is RATIONALIZE continuing it. We make excuses to ourselves which seem quite reasonable.
The physical addiction just makes it worse. However the number of people who have been able to go cold turkey (and I agree that some people can not) goes to show the power of the mind.
It's this process of rationalization that I am interested in. I've recognized it in myself.