I used to only smoke once in a while to get away from everything, I would have a really busy week and then saturday night I would be hanging out with my friends and it would be a great way to get away from my responsibilities for a few hours. Skiing is the same way, I can have millions of problems going on but when I'm skiing, I don't care: i'm in absolute bliss. (the two together is the best: there is nothing like flying down a slope on the border of being out of control while high as balls)
Starting freshman year of college I started smoking daily, many times skipping class and other responsibilities to smoke. I realized it was a problem and quit for a semester and got my shit together and have now found a happy medium. I smoke a few times a week before I go skate, or while skiing with some buddies, or on a late night watching a stupid movie. It's not a harmless drug: to say that is ignorant, it can be very mentally addicting if you don't have the willpower to remain in moderation.