You could have a bad habit too and can be able to control it but letting it outpace you is the problem because it would render you incapable and unreliable in the eyes of the public. You know how frustrating it could be when you are tagged such name that is why you are advised to always make sure you are law abiding and be free of anything that could dent ones image and reputation in the society.
Bad Habits can indeed be controlled easily, but not when it has turned into an addiction, at this point, the person with those habits loses total control and no matter how hard they try. and like we know already, sometimes, we may not even know when those habit may turn to addictions, we may only realize it when it becomes clear that those habits have suddenly become part of us and we can't help but oblige whenever we get the urge to do those things.
and when an individual has arrived at this stage, no matter how much you try to maintain a good reputation or good name, it becomes impossible because sometimes those habits can spiral out of control and you end up dong something you didn't plan to, thereby giving the society a misconception of the person's true nature.