Well the fact that a person can't stop smoking it and is risking Millions and millions of dollars kinda says other wise. Regardless of the reason.. whether its physical or mental or self medication, etc, doesn't really matter. He can't stop. He has done Rehab, he has done all this stuff and yet, he failed again.. if these reports are true. So people can say whatever, rationalize it however, but when you can't stop something, smoking, drugs, gambling, etc, its an addiction.
And I have personally known a few people that would rather smoke than work.. they gave up good jobs because they couldn't or wouldn't quit. I don't know if it is addictive or not, I don't smoke it. But when people can't stop, that is addiction to me, whether it is clinically described as addiction or not.