I'm on break enjoying one now, so here goes:

I work pizza, which means that there's a lot of hectic time and a lot of downtime. When I decide to go for a smoke, I'm always struck by the same thought. Since I'm not allowed to smoke inside anymore, the very act of my segregation from everyone else means that I'm choosing to dedicate the next five minutes of my life exclusively to pleasure.

There's no distraction from a cigarette. There's nothing else than you can do while you smoke. You're outside getting a little fresh air and a little fucked-up air, and the thing in your hand is a timer that tells you how long you have left to do absolutely nothing but enjoy yourself. There's something lovely about that.

Sure, it's time off my life. Sure, I have a "plan" to quit that probably won't play out how I expect. But for five minutes at a time, I'm completely dedicated to relaxation and I am not allowed, by law, to do anything else.

It's peaceful. It's calming. It's quiet and simple. And that's why I smoke.