Everyone knows someone that rationalizes their non-daily smoking; they only do it when they are drinking, with a certain group of people, or on poker night. These are call social smokers, or situational smokers, people who don't even smoke cigarettes every day but when the occasion arises still have problems saying no.

President Barack Obama is now the most famous social smoker as he told the New York Times in June of 2009, it is something "he struggles with every day." The pressures of public office can lead to feeling stressed and I am sure, as many others in that situation before, feel the craving for a cigarette because so many times before he has just caved in and smoked.

While only about 1 in 10 smokers are lumped into the category of social smokers, most wish they were there. It probably seems great to not feel the need to smoke all day, but you should know at least 2 things: One, it is still bad for you, and 2, you are still addicted to cigarettes!

These non-daily smokers are doing damage to their lungs with a few cigarettes every night they are out drinking. If you have been there, you know that smoking a few butts will give you a bit of a cough the next morning. You might think to yourself that if some 2 pack-a-day smokers never get lung cancer than a couple cigarettes a day can't hurt. It seems logical but is unfortunately wrong. Some people get lung cancer without having ever smoked cigarettes. What research is finding is that if you are predisposed then even moderate smoke can greatly increase your chances of developing lung cancer.

And if you are social smoker and don't think you are addicted because you don't crave cigarettes some times, you are wrong. Think about that feeling you get when you are in the right place and time. It is a strong craving right? That my friend is addiction and slowly over time that can easily slip into a full fledged habit. The truth is that probably more than 1 in 10 smokers are recreational. So many people start off not considering themselves smokers if they only bum cigarettes. But they all start somewhere, with that first cigarettes.

Okay, so you understand what it means, now what do you do? If this is you, you are in luck because stopping smoking is going to be easier that it would be for someone that has made it a daily habit. The trick will be to avoid the situation as best you can and stop rationalizing your minor addiction. The situational smoker doesn't need patches, gums, drugs, or Quit Tea, they just need to avoid that situation that triggers that urge and understand the risks.