Do many people smoke cigarettes?

Why do so many people who are germ-phobic smoke cigarettes?

• I just noticed that. I have two friends who are constantly wiping things with antibacterial wipes, using hand sanitizer, harassing people who cough or sneeze, and yet they smoke like chimneys. Why? You would think if they are so worried about illnesses they would worry about the harm they are doing to their bodies by smoking. Help me understand, guys. Thanks

• Answer:

  Good point. One of the reasons I've seen that patients smoke is that nicotine (strangely enough) calms people down. It's my theory why many have such trouble stopping. The underlying anxiety isn't treated. "Germ-phobic" people likely have some degree of OCD. The nicotine helps them deal with the stress of the disorder.