I think that's more indicative of a younger smoker. The kind who will boldly tell you they have to die somehow, anyway.

Even when I was years from quitting, I realized what I was doing to myself. I obviously didn't value my life enough, but I realized I had a problem. It was when I started thinking 'Omg, I can't even climb a flight of stairs... what's going to become of me in 10 years?' that I was ready to quit. I've been without a single one since July. I don't plan on picking one up again. So, I'd say that realizing you value your life more than the cigarette is an indication you're ready. But not all smokers deny they have a problem, even if they're nowhere near being ready to quit.