Why do people smoke?

Question

I love to run, but if I smoked, I would have a very hard time enjoying my favorite hobby. Smoking is responsible for a lot of health problems. Every year thousands of people die because of lung cancer or other tobacco related illnesses. Everyone in the world comes in contact with smoke from a cigarette at least once in their lifetime, whether it is at a restaurant or at work. Millions of people are addicted to smoking, and thousands more become addicted every year. Cigarettes and other tobacco products are everywhere. Most of the addicted smokers started when they were young. The new laws ban smoking in public places such as bars and restaurants, is a smart move by the states. Cigarette companies are also no longer allowed to advertise on buses or trains, billboards, TV, and in many magazines. We all know that smoking is detrimental to an individual’s health by polluting one’s lungs, yellowing teeth, and causing bad breath. It is a very expensive habit since prices for cigarettes go up every year and more and more people can not afford them. Smoking not only is harmful to an individual, the smoke from a cigarette directly affects the people around the smoker. On every pack of cigarettes there is a warning from the Surgeon General that says something about cigarettes being hazardous to your health, so why do people continue to smoke them? Some people, especially girls, start smoking because they think it may help keep their weight down. Another reason people start smoking is because their family members do.
There are so many bad things that happen when you smoke. Bad skin. Bad breath. Bad-smelling clothes and hair. Reduced athletic performance. Lung disease, Cancer and death. If you smoke are stop today, it will increase your opportunity for a better health. But sometimes people have a hard time quitting. Keep busy doing things that make it hard to smoke, like working in the yard, washing dishes and being more active. Avoid situations that tempt you to smoke, like drinking coffee or alcohol. and tell family members and friends that you need to quit smoking and need their support. If your husband, wife, son or daughter smokes, ask them to quit with you. Smoking is a very bad habit, and it is hard to enjoy life when you you smoke.
So why do people smoke?

Answer 1

Okay, the first thing is the taste. I originally liked the idea of being able to change the taste in my mouth. I like the taste of tobacco, especially with coffee. And yes, its an appetite suppressant. Although it doesn't do a thing for your sex drive. I get the feeling this is more about how you are going to help us quit than wanting to know why we smoke.

Answer 2

I only smoke at 4:20

Answer 3

As a smoker, I would agree with most people that it is stupid, but it is not ignorant. It's ignorant to assume that. (Does the first two even know what ignorant means?)

I started smoking because I used to be a very depressed, suicidal kid in high school. I was hospitalized a few times for it. Smoking was a release for me because, in my mind, it's still killing myself, but it's slower and because my parents can have me around longer.

I should say that I'm no longer as depressed as I used to be and definitely not suicdal anymore. So, in a way, smoking has saved my life. Now...the challenge of quitting is a different story...

Answer 4

I started to smoke when i saw the first anti-smoke commercial. Because there is nothing better then not to follow this propaganda. Smoking is not an issue in the entire world and some of these countries are better of then we are. Some religious nut with money decided that it is bad and we suppose to follow them like cows to the sloughter house. The point is that none of us know the truth we only know what they tell us and it is up to us to make a decision. aren't we the free country? Free to decide?

PS
both of my grand fathers lived til 86-89 and they smoked for over 60 years
PPS
i like Katie's answer the best.

Answer 5

MY PERSONAL EXCUSE IS, BACK IN THE 1940's, IT WAS REAL COOL TO SMOKE. SO LIKE ALL THE REST OF THE TEENS IN MY AGE, TOOK UP SMOKING, JUST TO BE COOL. WE DID NOT KNOW ENOUGH THEN ABOUT ALL THE HEALTH HAZARDS. I STARTED WITH 1 PACK PER WEEK. TODAY I STILL SMOKE, 2 PACKS PER DAY. HABIT AND ADDICTION TO THE WEED. I HAVE TRIED NUMORSE TIMES TO KICK THE HABIT. EASIER SAID THAN DONE. EVEN AFTER SEEING YOUR LUNG XRAY. PRETTY SCARY! TOTALLY BLACK WITH TINY PIN HOLES

Answer 6

i dont know but it makes my boyfriend's breath yucky, if hes smoking he cant kiss me unless he eats something and brushes his teeth first to get the smell out. It sucks just knowing that the inside of his lungs are probably black by now, ulgh!

Answer 7

When you do smoke, it helps to relieve stress. I quit 7 months ago, and although I feel great, stress is harder to manage now.

Answer 8

another person forcing their opinions to take away the rights of people doing something they don't agree with.

Answer 9

Started with peer pressures and ends up in addiction...

Answer 10

for one way to much to read lol didnt not read it all
cuz we can and its are life to do so why hell not
right i mean come on i Enjoy if i smoke or not
I smoke because i like to simple as that
we want to die hell with it