Smokers lie because they are guilt-ridden and ashamed of admitting to an addiction that has complete domination over their lives and activities. Their clothes, hair and breath stink causing great embarrassment. They battle with stained teeth and ruined clothing. Who wants to admit that demeaning sort of defeat? Who wants to admit complete subordination to a tiny, tightly packed, white cylinder of burning leaves?
As a result, they ALL lie to their spouses, their children, their friends, their relatives, their doctors, and most of all to THEMSELVES. "Oh yes, it's been months since I've had one of those nasty ciggies." "Oh, good for you, I'm so proud of you!" Ah, yes...the unconditional, congratulatory love of those rooting for you to beat the habit. Almost as good as the ciggie itself.
Been there, done that.
The scarier thing is how well social engineering can work. JFK smoked cigars in the White House. so did Bill Clinton. He even use them as a sex toy.
FDR was a two pack a day smoker.
The denormalization campaign to shame smokers worked beyond the anti-smoking groups wildest imagination.
If they got the smokers, they can get anybody.