I think this is an important topic for many. In the past, I smoked cigarettes and also dipped snuff. I think I started with Skoal when I was about 15 years old. I have been and currently am addicted to nicotine. From my understanding, most cigarette tobacco has undergone certain modifications to make it more addictive. Let me preface my comments by saying that I'm not an expert on this subject, but I've read where cigarette tobacco has been altered to place the nicotine in a freebase form which allows for a very quick nicotine hit. I also believe this causes the nicotine in the bloodstream to be quickly metabolized leading the smoker to need cigarettes more frequently.
I have found over many years that when smoking either a pipe or a cigar, I do indeed get a satisfying dose of nicotine, it just takes longer to do so. When I smoke my pipes, I can go 3-4 hours or even longer between smokes. I just feel like the nicotine delivery with pipes and cigars lasts longer for me and I enjoy it more. The problem I had with cigarettes is their convenience. They come in nice, ergonomic packs. No fuss no muss. Just light up and in 5 minutes you've got your nicotine hit. You can easily carry them with you and you don't need any accessories outside of a source of fire. With pipes and cigars, you have to plan for it. It takes longer. Let's face it, if it's freezing cold outside, who wants to sit outside for 30 minutes or longer smoking a pipe? The convenience and the immediate nicotine delivery is what makes quitting cigarettes very difficult.
Over the years, I've learned to overcome the cigarettes by planning ahead, having a pipe ready in the morning and adjusting my blends accordingly. I tend to smoke stronger blends that satisfy my cravings. I truly hate cigarettes but love my pipes and cigars. It is certainly an adjustment but I think it is possible to transition to only pipes. Just my two cents.