So I think I get to be the first one who smoked (until recently) and drove everywhere (until not so recently). This viewpoint wasn't something that I'd ever considered before, but thinking back on it, there are a few similarities. When you are out of smokes, there isn't a hugely conscious decision to go grab another pack, it's just something that you do. When the gas tank gets low, it's similar. You just go and fill up. It needs to be done. I don't know how far I would take the addiction bit of it (since Eric, GuitarStv, sol, and NinetyFour all kind of nailed down that bit), but the mindlessness does seem to be similar enough that I could easily relate the two of them.
I also think that it is part of why a lot of us around these here parts get a bit touchy when someone says they can't bike, or start throwing around data regarding how dangerous it is, etc. It's a defensive thing, because we do attack that mindlessness, and cars are a huge place where this manifests itself. Trying to defend your position just says that you haven't fully thought it through. Defensiveness is just a way to use excuses, and blame it on the fact that you feel attacked. If you've mindfully thought it through, looked at the data, tried it out for a bit, and still choose to drive, there is no defense required, because you've made that decision logically. We'll bring up other data points and challenge you, but that's because biking is awesome, is awesome for you, is awesome for the environment, and it would be irresponsible of us to just let that slide, since a vast majority of people haven't thought it through. For me, it's my altruistic selfishness. If I can convince you to bike, it makes biking better for me (and all other bikers), but it's also because, leaving out everything else, biking is cheap exercise, and it's good for you!! Damn me for trying to support you being healthy.
So yeah, back on topic, I could totally see similarities between smoking and gasoline consumption, but hadn't ever thought of it until now.