Every evening, Maria stepped outside during work breaks, lighting a cigarette whenever stress tightened her chest. She believed smoking calmed her racing thoughts, steadying emotions after difficult conversations and overwhelming responsibilities. Over time, the relief shortened while anxiety returned faster, louder, and harder to ignore. Could the habit she trusted for comfort actually be deepening her emotional struggles silently? Many people smoke, believing cigarettes reduce stress, anxiety, or sadness, especially during emotionally demanding seasons. However, growing research reveals strong connections…