I certainly used to think negatively of people who smoke. However, since starting (it helped me relax during my breaks from working as a bus boy in a busy, congested restaurant), I've seen the other perspective. There seems to be this sense of camaraderie among those who smoke, and it's been a simple way to just strike up conversations with other people. I haven't quit yet, but I certainly see immediate effects it has on my wallet, as well as the long-term tolls on health.
Be realistic. It's not a calculated "I need the benefits of nicotine now!" thought that enters your head. It's "time for a break". You can put things on pause, step outside, and have something to do for a few minutes while you sort yourself out. As an added bonus, there is a certain pleasure to the physical act of having a cigarette - beyond the nicotine rush. A quality that isn't immediately obvious to a non-smoker. But it's there.
Nowadays, I use smoking as more of a social tool than as a means of relaxation. I've made a surprisingly large amount of strong friendships that began with just approaching someone to ask for their lighter.