Writersoul – I think you are wrong about the stigma. A smoker in Yeshiva isn’t embarrassed about it. An alcoholic in Yeshiva is terrified that people will know about his problem (if he has one).
I don’t consider occasional drinking a problem.
OneDay – Anti-anxiety meds are far, far more addictive than tobacco. They also cause less cancer and they have more productive uses. If anti-anxiety meds were available over the counter, their abuse would be rampant.
As far as whether smoking to reduce anxiety is okay, a cost-benefit analysis is in order. This requires knowledge of the cost of smoking (in terms of health, possibility of forming a habit, money etc.) vs. the benefits — like every substance on earth.
Bottom line – unless a substance is both obscenely addictive and dangerous (think heroin, meth, crack etc.) there may be times when they have a productive use. Therefore, a cost-benefit analysis is always in order.
Only an insane (or irrational) person would choose not to take something which has more benefit than cost. Period.
The real question is what’s the cost and what’s the benefit…