WolfishMusings: “my mother has a host of medical issues which might prevent her from taking it”. That’s would a laugh, if it weren’t so serious. WAKE UP!!! If she doesn’t stop immediately, it may be too late.
I started smoking my Rebbe’s brand of cigarettes when I was thirteen (you could get cancer in those days for about 35-50 cents a pack) and gave up my two pack-a-day habit when my wife became pregnant. While you are addicted for life, the smoking habit becomes disgusting to you. I can name allot of Rabbeim who could not kick the habit and unfortunately they left their families too soon without a husband or father.
I agree with koton, if you have any type of weakness (uncontrolled Taiva) which may include either: cigarettes; food; kavode; gambling; drugs; sexual; alcohol; money; etc.; then you have no right to expect another person to control a Taiva that you don’t have. A Rebbe or Manhal will expel a bachur for a certain vice while they can’t control their own vices.