Skipy,, your principles are so strong, you are letting them get in the way of all the good you do.
Yes people will suffer for your decisions to resign, but I can't help thinking that you are letting the smoking or inability to do it in the future be the punishment to everybody who depends on you.

Surely you should be above that. be strong and show everybody how you can continue and do all your good work, even if you feel you are being victimised.

I am certainly not taking the piss out of you, as I used to smoke 50 a day and it took me a lot of will power to stop.