One. The chemical hook in tobacco is nicotine, and it’s widely agreed to be one of the most powerful hooks out there. So when nicotine patches were introduced, there was a huge wave of optimism, because they give smokers all of the chemical hook their body craves, with none of the filthy smoke. How many stopped smoking? 17 percent. It’s a real factor—but doesn’t account for 83 percent of the problem.
