[davedes]

The poll asked "Why do you enjoy smoking when you know it is killing you or giving you cancer".. etc?

I'll assume we're talking about cigarettes (as opposed to smoked marijuana, hookah, crack, etc). I'll also assume we are talking about those who smoke on a daily basis, to the point at which it may become a health risk (as opposed to those who are able to resist heavy use).

With that in mind, I'd say the honest answer would generally be "because I'm addicted."

Take coffee, for example. For some people, caffeine can be a very addicting substance. Ask frequent users why they drink it, and you will get an array of responses... lots of "I like the taste" and "it wakes me up" (both valid). But often they are also physically and/or psychologically dependent on the drug, to the point that coffee acts as a "fix" to that addiction.

For the average person, I don't see anything particularly wrong with a coffee addiction. A cigarette addiction, on the other hand, can be pretty rough!

If a frequent smoker is fully aware of their addiction (if they even are addicted) and is also fully aware of the possible consequences, then I don't see why we should restrict them from a quick high.

In other words the poll suggested "why are you stupid enough to enjoy doing something unhealthy"? Is that poll question bias or in error? and if not how do you answer the "whole question" without downsizing it with a more simplistic response?

For the reason's I mentioned above, I'd say that yes, the poll is biased.

I enjoy binge drinking, extreme sports and McDonalds even though I know they are rather unhealthy.