Why do people start smoking?

Question

I tried it before and didn't care much for it, mostly for sensory factors (smell, taste, ect) but after that I didn't feel the need to do it again. Back to the question though, why do people start smoking nowadays? I mean all the facts are right in front of you that it is very harmful and could/will give you various problems along with emptying your wallet (I live in California, people from here will know what I mean).

I'm not saying that your right to smoke should be taken away or anything just curious why people start smoking these days.

Oh and I meant cigarettes, not anything else.... I might get to that later. lol

Answer 1

Well the person above gave the generic obvious answer that people usually give that have no expirence.

I started smoking back in high school, merely out of curiosity. Here I am out of college and I am still smoking. It goes far beyond just the cigarette. Smoking is great if you want to socialize. Couldn't tell you how many talks i've had with complete strangers just by lighting up a cig.

Now I enjoy taking a quick 10 minute smoke break just to relax and unwind. What is weird is the fact that even though I have been smoking for years, I agree with you in the fact that they smell bad, taste bad and are expensive. After every cig, I wash my hands, and have gum, but oh well, like I said nice stress reliever/social tool.

Answer 2

Understanding Why People Smoke..
Why People Smoke

Most people start smoking when they are in their teens and are addicted by the time they reach adulthood. Some have tried to quit but have returned to cigarettes because smoking is such a strong addiction. It is a habit that is very difficult to break. There are many different reasons why people smoke.

Three of the main reasons that young people smoke are to look mature, to be like their friends, and to experiment. Since teens see older people all around them smoking, especially their parents and relatives, they smoke to act older. If their friends or peers smoke, they may feel pressured into doing the same to be accepted. The last reason is the excitement of experimenting with something that is forbidden. In Massachusetts it is against the law for anyone under 18 years old to smoke. Usually parents do not allow their under age teens to smoke. Therefore, smoking becomes very attractive. It is exciting to get cigarettes and sneak away to smoke without being caught.

Adults smoke for other reasons. They may have a lot of stress and pressures because of economic and personal problems. They may be unemployed or working but not making enough money to take care of themselves and their families. They may be homeless, or they may be dealing with alcohol or cocaine/heroin addictions. Some may be in bad marriages or relationships in which there is physical and/or verbal abuse. All these people may smoke to feel relaxed or to give them energy while going through a hard time.

Whether young or old, some people smoke to control their weight. Smokers, on the average, weigh seven pounds less than non-smokers. Smoking reduces a person's appetite. It lessens his/her sense of taste and smell. This could be why ex-smokers gain weight after quitting cigarettes. Food tastes and smells so much better.
Finally, there are people who say they love to smoke. Smoking gives them pleasure. It just makes them feel good.

Answer 3

i started smoking back in high school. i wanted to smoke because most of my peers did it and because back then i though it gave me an intellectual, virgina woolf-ish look.
aside from that, i also just fancied the idea of smoking, independent from what my colleagues did.
lots of things empty our wallets. thats the whole point of making money, that you spend it on something you like. some people are addicted to shopping, some people play bowling, some people buy cigarettes. it's that easy. if we never spent money on the stuff we like, we'd be very rich but very sad and frustrated.

Answer 4

It relieves stress and tension. I started smoking during a particularly stressful time of my life and have been smoking on and off since then.

Answer 5

I started for an unusual reason...to help stop sucking my thumb! Well, so much for that. I still suck my thumb AND smoke! At least, though, it stopped my thumb urges during the daytime....

Answer 6

There's no reason for it..I started before they told of the health risk..I was able to quit after 45 years thanks to a new medication called Chantix..I feel much better now

Answer 7

they are trying to be cool/ rebellious.

Answer 8

SUTPIDITY!!!!!!!!