Start Smoking?

Question

Okay, I know this can get heated, but I am curious. I realize how addicting smoking is and how it is very hard to quit. I sympathize with people who try and have trouble with it.
What I want to know is, if people know how addicting it is, if they know the health risks, if it is not even considered cool anymore, they know it stinks and creates social pariahs, then why do they start in the first place? It is not even considered rebelious.
What compels someone to start up the habit?
And it should be more of a reason than because someone told them not to.
Why start?

Answer 1

Well I have been smoking since I was 12 years old. I can honestly say I started because I wanted to fit in with a particular crowd. I thought I was cool and it made me feel like a grown up. But now that I am grown I see how stupid my decision was and I regret it everyday. Now I'm pregnant and having a very difficult time stopping because it's been my stress reliever for the last 6 years. So I completely agree with you.

Answer 2

I have actually asked this to a lot of "big bad" kids in my school that smoke. They said they started because they wanted to see what it was like. They lost a lot of friends from starting, though. Smoking was what made them the "big bad" kids.

A lot of people are so idiotic and don't realize how people can get addicted so they want to try it to see if there is something so good about it that you can get addicted to.

Personally, I hate smoking with a passion. It's such a turn off in all ways possible. I try to encourage smokers to find help quitting.
Although no matter how much I hate smoking, I would never stop being friends with someone because of it.

Also, i'm sure a lot of people start smoking because they have nothing better to do in life. They like the feeling of wanting something so bad then getting it. It makes them feel like they are actually doing something. In other words, they don't smoke for an hour and they get that craving for a cigg and when they take that first puff they get that big sigh of relief.

Basically smoking is one of the biggest issues going on.

Answer 3

I started smoking when I drank. It IS quite relaxing, no matter what the anti-smoking nazis scream. I also realized, it's great after a meal as it helps settle the stomach. Later, I learned to appreciate smoking in crowded bars because people unconsciously move away from someone with a lit cigarette. It's a great way to create space around yourself when you're stuck in an annoying crowd.

I don't smoke anymore. I have been smoke-free since September 28th and I intend on staying that way for as long as I can hold out. I just take it one day at a time and I have promised myself I will not give up if I slip up from time to time.

Answer 4

I don't know why they start first of all let me give you some facts I've learned in college (I'm going into the medical field)
every cigarettes takes 20 minutes from your life
It causes soooo many lung problems (cancer, COPD, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema, etc...)
You could easily spend 2,500 dollars a year on cigarettes (that is if you have 1 pack a day most smokers can do more than 1 pack a day)

personal opinion= I wouldn't want to kiss an ashtray. I have nothing against smokers I have classmates that I get along with well who smoke. I think it is very unwise and that they will regret it when they are older.

Answer 5

I think a lot of people actually start smoking pot first and when you cant smoke pot the urge to smoke is still there and maybe a cigarette will give you a little buzz when you first start. Then it is just a habit. Habits can be broken it tkes effort which alot of people dont want to do. Smoking is like gaining weight over a period of time its hardly noticed until its to late then you have to do something about it.

Answer 6

I was just a kid in school and everyone else was smoking and everyone said it was cool, so i did now I'm older it became a habit i know it bothers a lot of people but it so hard to quit you say it should be a better answer then cause someone told them to well peer pressure has a lot to do with it and unless you have experience it you can't say it not a good enough answer

Answer 7

Peer pressure, most people start when they're young to look cool or to feel older the problem is that nicotine is a much worse drug than even heroin so it is much harder to quit. Also if you have another addiction like let say alcohol in almost 90% of the cases those people need to become addicts to something else. 88% become tobacco addicts.

Answer 8

I've heard statistics that say if a person hasn't started smoking by the time they're 20 (or somewhere around there) they probably never will. It's all about peer pressure. Young teenagers DO think it's cool and it IS rebellious behavior. This is why they start smoking.

Answer 9

Believe it or not some people mainly young teenagers think it is. I guess it makes them feel grown. And then after while of doing it it actually becomes something they need to relax. Its true it is really nasty and not attractive but that is what you see everywhere. Especially when you see it in a lot of social gathering where drinking is involved. If you think about it when did most smokers start to smoke.

Answer 10

I was really stressed at the time, and my friend said it would calm me down...which it did, but then I got addicted. I just recently quit after smoking for 3 years, because I got pregnant. I don't intend on starting back up after the baby is born either! I can breathe easier, actually walk up stairs without having to catch my breath, and I don't stink like cigarettes! My hair actually smells like conditioner! :)