Well I have a VERY unique health situation that I wouldn't expect most to understand. I have atypical young onset Alzheimer's Disease. Atypical because it started in the frontal lobe, not memory. So I have a terminal disease as it is, not worrying about the nicotine but nice to have the cigarettes off my back as they have become the scourge of society it seems. So different than when I started and a large percentage of adults smoked. Anyway, there was a study a while back that suggested there may be benefits from nicotine with dementia. So that and the fact that I already have a terminal disease would outweigh what you are saying about nicotine. I wasn't worried about the health affects of smoking on me but I was very worried about my wife and so glad she has quit smoking. Thanks for your response and the others, I do appreciate it VERY much! Sometimes what would have been obvious to me pre-disease is not so obvious now days.