IowaDeerHunter Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 To start, I have nothing against people that smoke and I hope they do not take any offense to this post. I know it could be a heated topic but I want to ask anyway. I have always wondered what the heck makes people start smoking? I am taking a personal wellness class now and with all the downfalls possible from smoking I just do not see how people can ever start? Lung cancer is the leading cancerous death in America right now, and it is mostly caused from smoking. My main question is younger people. A lot of people from my high school smoke. I could go pick out one class and probably 75% of the people smoke. I guess I just do not understand what would ever drive somebody to smoke when the outcomes for later in life are pretty obvious. Any body have any insight????? This is just something I have always pondered when I see people smoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiganbowhunter_SQ2 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I am no expert and this is just my opinion. But I think some people (kids mostly)just start out because they think it is "cool". some may start due to stress. there are probably other factors as well. But it's addicting and they eventually become somewhat dependant on it. Its not that they keep doing it just to do it, it is because they are addicted. There are a few folks on here who have smoked and have quit. and some who still smoke. They'll tell you how hard it is to stop after doing it just for a short while and how much more difficult it is to quit after years of smoking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccwhitey Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I asked one of my friends the same thing. He said that he started to smoke when he drank:confused:. No since he is addicted he smokes all of the time. I don't understand it myself:confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 To be one of the crowd and be "cool"! Worst blasted thing to start there is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coles Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 i know its stupid but thats why i started chewing. i thought it was cool and cuz i always saw it in all my huntin magazines. now i just wish i could stop. i have been dippin for about 2 years. i tried to quit about a month ago and i have to admit it sucked. i only lasted a couple days. i have never been that irritable in my life. i wanted to kill everyone at school and work. i mean the slightest little thing would set me off. i really need to quit i just need the motivation and right now with all the stress from finals week commin up i just cant see myself doin it right now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry264 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 People my age started smoking because it was "cool", and all anyone saw on TV, magazines, heard on radio, saw in the commercials, talk shows and their guests, radio ads., movies in the theaters, etc. All the really cool, famous; the good, bad, and beautiful, were all smoking. Ads on TV started when TV was just getting into the american homes. The ad people knew everyone would start smoking after seeing/hearing all this too. Have a clip here I'll try to link here but I'm not very good at transferring urls successfully. If it doesn't load just google old camel ad showing doctor smoking. enjoy! http://viral.videosift.com/video/What-Cigarette-Do-You-Smoke-Doctor-1949-smoking-ad This one is from 1949, since it's all we saw, what did anyone expect? Wish I had never started,,,,,Terry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 peer pressure i think. you gotta fit in, and be cool. no one just starts smoking. they take a puff, cough, gag, feel ill, throw up, and say "wow, that was good. i think i'll do it again". lol. funny, but it's true. the body is trying to tell you not to do it, and we override our natural instincts. no one is an exception. same with chewing, and lots of other terrible habits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 When I did it, think it was STRESS, I smoked, dipped, drank, and sometimes all 3 at the same time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I guess I have a tobacco addiction tolerance cause I've dipped and smoked for 6 months at a time and each and everytime I've been able to quit whenever I wanted without any problems. I have a cigarette every once in awhile when I have a beer but thats about it for me. So I have a hard time understanding the "addiction" but I know it's very real. You should see my future brother in law when he runs out of the stuff. He turns into an a-hole in a hurry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I tried to be cool right after high school and started smoking. Think I learned my lesson when by mistake I bought menthols instead of the regular kind and just about DIED one night. Oh yeah, and I never could figure out how to hold the cigarette the "cool" way either. The final blow was when I almost burned my car up. I tried to flick the cigarette out the window and it landed in my back seat while I was driving. It just wasn't worth it. Besides, it makes your hair and clothes stink. Your teeth get yellow and you get wrinkles around your mouth. YUCK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinch314 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I started because my mom did it and I thought is was cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 ...I've never tried a cigarette...but I know it can be very addicting , like coffee.... -boy, I just HAVE to have my coffee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Do you eat fast food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubie Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I started back in grade 6 or 7, stealing smokes off of my parents. I didn't cough or gag or vomit like mentioned above. But I've also been exposed to the stuff since I was concieved. I've heard it said that some people are more likely to start, almost like a genetic thing. Look at smokers and non-smokers. Most non-smokers come from non-smoking households, and most smokers have parents that are smokers. I've been trying to quite for some time now. I've gone a few months at a time, but always break down and buy another pack eventualy. Or wind up in a situation where everyone else is smoking, have that one cigarette with them and its back to square one as far as quitting goes. Funny thing, when I'm out hunting or fishing and the likes, I don't even think about smoking. I should do nothing but sit outdoors... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Do you eat fast food? No, well maybe once a month if that. Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I guess I just do not understand what would ever drive somebody to smoke when the outcomes for later in life are pretty obvious. Any body have any insight???? Think for the most part peer pressure in younger people and being around other smokers is what leads to most people starting. Have never myself been a smoker, but growing up with it inside closed up cars and in the house it was pretty bad, and I did not even realize it. Grew up, both parents smoked, never bothered me as a kid but now it makes me absolutely sick to be around any type of cigarette smoke for any length of time. Severe headaches and nausea. I will add too that lung surgery and the thoughts of possibly having cancer are no fun. Been down that road, and the worries especially if you have kids, are enough alone in themself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I honestly do not see the peer pressure with the people in my high school. I am sure it is different in some areas but nobody would ever force or give anybody crap if they didn't smoke. People just started doing it on their own. I think they think it is the "fun" thing to do. Just crazy IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I honestly do not see the peer pressure with the people in my high school. I am sure it is different in some areas but nobody would ever force or give anybody crap if they didn't smoke. People just started doing it on their own. I think they think it is the "fun" thing to do. Just crazy IMO. Do you eat fast food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Do you eat fast food? No why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 No why? Do you get at least one hour of aerobic activety per day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob LeBlanc Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I think most folks start smoking because of peer pressure / acceptance, or because they think it is distinguishing. Neither are actual reasons...they are poor justification and poor judgement. As for the 'stress' argument...nicotine does not relieve stress. Stress is an 'excuse'...not a 'reason' to smoke;). Nicotine is said to be more addictive than heroin. Last thought...I think that people who are exposed to smoking and secondhand smoke at an early age are more likely to have a predisposition to the addiction. I think our bodies become accustomed to the chemicals in the secondhand smoke, and once we 'try' it on our own, addiction is much more likely. Good reason NOT to smoke around your kids, huh? Bob:o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowin_in_illinois Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I started smoking because I wanted to see what the big deal was...so I tried one. What a buzz I got. Well...that feeling didn't last long but I kept doing it anyway. Smoked for 17 years before I finally quit. IT WAS NOT EASY. In two weeks it will be 5 years since I quit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DU_man_84 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 yep alot of people do it for acceptance from others, there not cool unless they smoke, i mean ive been chewing for 9 years and i started when i was 14 i didnt do it to be cool just something i started and to this day i honestly i dont have a good explanation why i actually started, and wish i never would have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Do you get at least one hour of aerobic activety per day? Maybe not everyday, but almost. 4-5 days out of a week. Why? What is your point muggs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swamphunter Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Beats me..I think its gross. Hottest women in the world + 1 cigarette in her mouth = someone I would not be attracted to if single. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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