i think that joni's heavy smoking is once again a sign that she believes that she's going to live forever. eternety blends within every song of her, from the self-promise of "being free", sung in a low whisperd voice - to the 2000 nearly broken voice, a voice like the sahara, sometimes washed by tears and inner rain, that sings "i wish i were in love again" - as if life (as a problem) is already solved, and the only thing that's missing is finding someone to love. "the words i love you till the day i die" - the next line says that it's a lie - and have you realy heard how her voice viberats on that "lie" - it's as if she's turning the day she'll die into a lie. on the other hand heavy smoking is one of the best ways to commit suicide, from every where i fear and everything i dread come true and the nicotin attack song to the shaking scared voice that sings "hooowww where's my will" - but i don't think that joni has ever (yet) sang it all goodbie. she's glued to life.
