How can people smoke who claim to be progressive?

[Loki]

Smoking is prevelant in people with mental health issues, especially schizophrenics. The rate is at least 90% in schizophrenia. Certainly in comparison to the mainstream population, mental health issues and smoking are clearly correlated:

Yes, but it is not clear if the cause is smoking - or if mental health problems prompt people to smoke more than others. Some claim it provides relief.

[Trog]

Certainly, it can be considered a form of self-medicating and that smoking calms people who already have poor coping skills.