In Jainism, smoking is considered wrong and is strongly discouraged because it goes directly against basic Jain principles.

Main reasons:

1. Ahimsa (non‑violence)

- Smoke harms: - your own body (lungs, heart, throat, etc.), - people around you through second‑hand smoke, - countless tiny living beings in the air. - Harming yourself is also a form of himsa in Jain philosophy, because you are damaging the body that is the support of your soul’s spiritual progress. ( en.wikipedia.org)

1. Intoxicant and addiction

- Tobacco is treated like an intoxicant (madak dravya). - Jains are told to give up intoxicants because they: - weaken self‑control, - increase carelessness, - make it easier to do himsa and other sins. - Traditional lists of bad addictions (sapt‑vyasan) specifically include smoking along with alcohol, gambling, etc. ( scribd.com)

1. Lack of self‑discipline (sanyam)

- Jain dharma teaches strong control over rāg–dveṣh (likes and dislikes) and over sensory cravings. - Nicotine creates strong dependence; continuously giving in to that craving goes against sanyam and tapas (austerity). - For both Shwetambar and Digambar lay followers, such addictions are seen as obstacles in following even basic vows properly. ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Obstruction to spiritual practices

- A clear, calm mind and relatively pure body are needed for: - samayik, - pratikraman, - dhyān (meditation), - svādhyāy (scriptural study). - Smoking disturbs breathing, concentration, and purity, so it is viewed as anarth‑dand (needless sin) – completely unnecessary harm that brings only bad karma. ( jainknowledge.com)

1. Agreement of both traditions

- Digambar and Shwetambar traditions may phrase it differently, but both: - prohibit intoxicants, - discourage habits that harm health and increase passions. - So, in practice, both traditions say a Jain should not smoke. ( jainknowledge.com)

In simple words: Smoking hurts many jīvas, harms your own body and mind, increases attachment, and blocks spiritual progress. Because of this, it is not allowed in Jain way of life.

You can read a related explanation here: “Smoking” on JainKnowledge