The best part about being in a relationship is that you both agree to the boundaries each of you set - if you feel his smoking and drinking is becoming a problem (and you stated he'd rather to that than be around you), then communicate that to him. Look deep into your heart to what matters most to you. Good Luck!
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.