Books v. Cigarettes

The analogy feels so precise and provocative. I'm curious whether Orwell saw this as a critique of societal habits or a personal reflection on addiction.

He seems to acknowledge both the comfort and the danger of reading. I wonder if this duality made anyone else reconsider their own reading habits.

The essay strikes a balance between admiration and critique. I'm interested in how others perceive his attitude toward the role of books in our lives.