Big Pharma is like any big organization with power and money. There is no "conspiracy" -- it's a simple profit motive and contributing to politicans, like Senator Frank Lautenberg, who further their interests. I lived in NJ (home of Big Pharma), worked for a hospital system and my husband was in a political job -- so I get it.
We love to hate Big Pharma when they politically intercede on their own behalf. But when we get really sick and they have the cure, we are ever so grateful that they are around -- until we are well again.
As for quitting smoking, I would suggest the Allen Carr EasyWay method. It's simple and effective.
Great book. Read it twice. I just wasn't completely committed to quitting.
Different smokers have different issues quitting --for some its the habit more than the nicotine, for some it's the other way around.
I'm a nicotine addict -- breakfast was always coffee and a bowl of cigarettes.
Now, I vape (inhale vapor) instead and when I do have a cigarette, it's with a little blackberry brandy after dinner. From two packs a day to to 2 cigs a day in a few months is quick enough a reduction for me at the moment.
The only reason that I even have cigarettes around and available is because my husband still smokes and won't even try an e-cig. He's stubborn and says that he can quit smoking when he wants and he just doesn't want to now -- but if he does quit, he's going to quit period, cold turkey. What can I say? He's a guy and the e-cig to him, is like "asking for directions".