I never smoked, but people who smoke told me that quitting smoking is not as easy as it sounds. As far as I understand, it's like when you really want to eat a cake, when you are on a diet, but 10 times harder.
Yes is it kinda like that, You can also replace smoking with eating because it releases dopamine in the brain, that is why a lot of people who stop smoking will gain weight.
I think finding a replacement is a good thing to do but it should be healthy otherwise you will just trade 1 bad habbit for another bad one.
Strongly agree with the opinion above, that quitting smoking is something that is just as difficult when you like gambling. the more prohibited the more you will feel like something is missing from yourself. it all has to depend on yourself to want a change, even though it's easy to say but difficult when practiced. remember if there is a will there will be a solution.