I remember a Latino brother who loved the organization and the friends, and when they came out with the 6-month ultimatum in 1973 on quitting smoking, he could not quit and was disfellowshipped. He was so devastated, I felt so bad for him. When I was a teenager at 17 I smoked a pack a day and tried quitting many times without success. I remember the day I broke down and cried, just started studying with the Witnesses. "I CAN'T QUIT." I didn't even ask for healing. The WT ban on smoking came a year later I believe.
I can't explain it but from that day forward I woke up and never had the desire for a cigarette again. A miracle? To me, yes. But most of the time you never see that. Addiction is very powerful, and cigarettes are among the worst, alongside alcohol and other drugs. The problem is, you don't get to pick your personal miracles. Life can be harsh, and to demand such conformity can be devastating to many people. I get their emails every day. Damn the authoritarians!
Randy