Well I guess when I say positive effects I don't mean benefits, I meant in the way that perhaps alcohol as a 'social lubricant' is a positive effect, or getting a nice buzz when smoking. I certainly don't mean medical benefits!
I understand that people could have a drink every night for years and not become addicted. And I honestly think that if someone were to have a cigarette every night for that long they would likely become addicted to nicotine, yes. But I guess I really am talking more about the people who have a cigarette on a Friday night after work and that's strictly it. (And we'll say that situation is a hypothetical one to avoid any claims of classic denial.)