Ah yes, Richard, I should be more precise.

I was an ardent smoker. I smoked with a passion that would rival the pope's for his cassocks.

But then I found the right motivation and gave up quite easily. Knowing what we know now about the danger of smoke to kids' health, I am sure that good prospective parents would find the right motivation.

I don't think smoker's can necessarily take or leave their drug as and when they like.