Why do so many young people START smoking?

Question

If there was a food that made your skin wrinkle sooner, made your body and clothes smell bad, stained your teeth, reduced your sense of smell & hearing, turned off people of the opposite sex, cost thousands of dollars a year, and pretty much guaranteed a cancer diagnosis, you wouldn't eat it, right?

Then why do people start smoking? I work with a lot of recent college graduates, and was surprised to see that so many of them are smokers. Their older coworkers (who kicked the habit long ago) just shake their heads & wonder...

I can understand why people who are addicted to nicotine have a difficult time quitting, but why would someone voluntarily *start* a habit they know has no positive benefits?

Answer 1

Peer group pressure
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Subliminals

People drive cars and eat junk food too ... *shrugs*

Answer 2

Oh you're so wrong on the bad food...people do it all the time knowing the risks! Smoking is no different. It fills a need or a void. It usually is peer pressure but self-imposed peer pressure because teenagers want to fit into a certain group, maybe they like a boy or girl who smokes or wants to be part of a group who smokes so they take it up.

I was a smoker. I started for the same reason, because of a boy. Stupid really. My dad smoked and parents smoking DEFINITELY plays a role too. Hey if dad smokes it can't be that bad. Besides I was only going to have one or two a day...yeah right...packs that is!!!!

I think most people start because it's taboo...some go on to the very bad taboo...like alcohol or drugs...and I think that some just pick the smoker because it's the lesser of the lot and they just want to belong to a "crowd".

To me the cigarette was my friend. It was with me everywhere I went. The more addicted I became to it the more important it became to me to have one. It got so addictive that I couldn't think without having one going. Before you even know it, it's running you, but you will never admit it when you are hooked. You make excuses about all the reasons you "need" it, but really it's the addiction talking and you don't even know you're addicted.

I didn't realize that until after I quit, which was the hardest thing to do.

Only after quitting did I realize what a "cigarette junkie" I was. That was over 10 years ago.

I find the habit totally disgusting now and anyone I see smoking disgusting and pathetic. Sad but true. I'm sure I was viewed the same way when I smoked but I didn't care. Sadly again, those days we were allowed to blow smoke in everyone's faces in bars, restaurants and in the workplace. All that has changed now thank goodness.

Young kids don't think of the dangers. If they really knew how terrible chemo and cancer was, and the months and years you can spend combatting it, and in the end it claims you, they would never start.

That is why education is key. Kids should see physical evidence--healthy lungs, diseased lungs, lungs riddled with cancer, chemo patients etc. I hope they show this stuff in school because that is the only way they will really GET IT.

Removing yourself from being around smokers after quitting is really what helps you stop and stay off them. I've known many of my relatives who have gone back to it time and again and I'm certain it's because they just are always around others who smoke and eventually they just crack.

I feel really bad saying I don't like being around smokers but it's true. When you get to be my age and smoke and then complain about how bad it is for you, it really drives me nuts. At this age you OUGHT to have the willpower to stop, so don't complain because you can't find the courage to do it, and accept your fate and the fact you're an addict. You know where it will take you to in the end. I don't have sympathy for someone who is hacking thier lungs out and won't quit. I found the courage and will that it took and if I COULD DO IT, anyone can. No excuses!!! :~)

Answer 3

I started smoking about 37 years ago when I was a Junior in High School. I was considered cool by my peers and when I went to college I was even cooler. Back then the harmful effects weren't talked about. What a mistake I made. I quit after being a 2 pack a day smoker for 25 years. I have permanent scar tissue in the lungs and I'm on 3 inhalers. I now talk to strangers when I see them smoking to stop and use myself as an example. I assure them there are risks no matter who you are.

Answer 4

Role Models & Peer pressure - I started because my parents smoked & I wanted to be just like them. I also wanted to be just like the cool people on Tv. This was perpetuated on the street by friends and aquaintances because it was a fashionable thing to do ... a kool thing to do

Answer 5

Peer Pressure as Teenagers thats when most people start

Answer 6

Yep - pretty much peer pressure. Maybe parents did or didn't and made one feel like one had to try it to piss them off.

It looks cool and you see it everywhere. Take movies with sexy or hot women and men smoking.

Why do people do any drug - similar thing there.

Answer 7

It is just a fashion and style. Youngser think they look samart when smoking as if they were some movie stars and soon it turns into addiction.

Answer 8

i started because i liked to smoke. i continue for the same reason. there's really not any more to it.
as for longevity- i'm going to live however long i live. may as well enjoy it.
as for turning people off- i only date other smokers. no problems there.
as for cost- i'm paying for something i like, so i don't really mind. i get upset when the taxes go up- but oh well. death and taxes are the only certainties anyway.

Answer 9

i ask the same question everyday when i
walk across my college campus

you know the risks and dangers,
so why do it?

it makes absolutely no sense

sorry but i have no clue why

Answer 10

-peer pressure
-to be like a celebrity
-parents do it
-role model does it