Growing up and smoking doesn't mean being an addict! When we begin to perceive ourselves as normal people who have chosen to smoke instead of drink, then others will have to accept it. While in my head the thoughts that I smoke I am a drug addict, as long as this fear lives in my head then for others I am the antipode. I sometimes find it hard to hold my position that I smoke instead of alcohol, but I know that being afraid and pretending is even worse for me.