I was on an alcohol and codeine binge which effectively numbed every sensation, including cravings, and the cravings I did have I replaced with alcohol. That was for a ten day period, and I had no experience with codeine before that or after. This replacement addiction was controlled and way easier to come down from, and also easier to replace with gradually less addictive stuff like eating and eventually exercise. That's when I was 22 or so, I don't exactly remember. I picked up smoking again shortly some time later, despite no cravings, went back to full chain smoking for a couple of months, and quit again, cold turkey. It's like I enjoyed quitting again because it gave similar sensations to when I was on codeine. I liked quitting so much I though I was addicted to it. The second time quitting I remember way better, how good it felt, being able to breathe, smell and taste again, the clarity of mind, nerves and concentration. To not smell like a sour exhaust and to actually do stuff to fix my life rather than smoke myself deeper into illness, and to be able to spend money on stuff I actually enjoy. I've quit for about three or four years since then. I've smoked a cigar once or twice, no cravings. I know I enjoy smoking, it's just that it I hate the consequences and it's not worth it.
Worst decision of my life: start smoking.
Best decision of my life: quitting

Really, the people who end up hospitalized even say it, they had wished they just took a month or two to fight the cravings and live 40 years longer addiction free. Instead they loose their life over some idiotic burning stick as if it was a nipple, which even babies are better at quitting than smokers. Smokers are weaker than babies.
Quitting isn't easy but it's much easier than you think. The cravings are 90% psychological and quitting is 100% a matter of will. As if some dumb dried plant laced with chemicals and rat poison has control over a human being. I am so over the psychological dependance I can pick up smoking addiction and quitting as many times as I want to proove to anyone how weak they are they can't even go at least one day without a smoke. It's beyond ridiculous and people are willing to loose their life over it. Oh well, the strong live and the weak die, it's nothing new.