Why do people still smoke?

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   NVRFAIRposted 14 years ago

   I have never been the smartest person in the world but I guess I have never understood why people still smoke. There is so much evidence out there proving that if you continue to smoke that you  will die, I mean if you want to die just shoot yourself because it won't be as painful. People are constantly making excuses about it which drive me nuts,"Well my parents did it so I wanted to". What I don;t get is that so many people do it, it isn't just the fact that some people do it, its that so many people do it.
   
   Can anyone tell me why people start smoking still, and if so why they continue to smoke even after they learn it is deadly?

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      china manposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Same comments apply to marriage - we still do that though huh !! ?
      
      Many things in life kill us - including half the processed stuff we eat that is 'in your face' because someone is making big money from it, pushed on us and our kids.
      
      I have been smoking all my life at 20 to 40 per day and gave up (under irresistable partner pressure) 9 months ago - the biggest dissapointment is that I feel no different in any way, no fitter, healthier or any discernable change at all.

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         mega1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         stick with it though, chinaman, depending on how long you actually smoked it will take that much longer to truly recover, but it will happen.  I have one friend who believes it took her seven years to completely recycle all the injured cells in her body that healed after she stopped smoking.  that may or may not be true, but for me it took at least two years to really notice the change, and it was so gradual that I had to really examine the differences in my life.  thing is, when I am still with some people who smoke I do have one or two, but don't think it makes that much impact on me.  I still feel much, much better than when I was smoking everyday, 10 to 20 in a day.  it was the hardest thing I ever did.

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      sandra rinckposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      They still think it is 'cool'.  The kids try it because they get told all sorts of bs about how it helps you cope with stress and it relaxes you and makes your food settle better and stuff like that.
      
      What they really don't get is that nicotine is more addictive then heroin.  Nicotine causes your heart rate to increase not decrease and they have this false sense of euphoria.
      
      It's hard to quit the addiction alone but you can get over it like you would any other addiction.  You go through withdrawals and it sucks.  The hardest part is getting over the mindset that something is missing in your life, that things will never be the same and especially the sense that they did something for you.
      
      What is complex about nicotine or smoking is that it doesn't bother any smoker to not smoke when "they" don't want to.  They could go for months on their own accord just because and not be phased by it but as soon as you suggest that they can never smoke again... well...
      
      Getting over the relationship is harder then getting over nicotine addiction but it works two fold, one on your physical body and second on your mind.
      
      Doesn't matter what you tell them about smoking, it's finding the right way relay the information and since everyone is different, even though all started smoking for essentially the same reasons, they have to hear it the right way.
      
      It's like math.  You can know the outcome every time.  You were told the formula.  You can go through the motions, the long hand math but it never really makes sense to you until it is explained in terms that you can relate to.
      
      My two cents.  Wont come back here because I everyone hates and x smoker.

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      leebertteaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Why do people do anything? They do it because they want to and because they can! Isn't freedom wonderful?

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      Ben Evansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      People start smoking for various reasons.  Most who do, however, probably dont look at it as a lifelong habit.  For many people it is.
      
      If you havent smoked or been addicted to nicotine, you will never know why people continue to smoke.  It is not a matter of just one day saying I do not wish to smoke anymore.
      
      I tend to believe that there are people who have a larger predisposition than others to become addicted.  I chewed tobacco (I have quit for over 2 years).  I chewed one time and I was addicted.
      
      Was it my fault?  Yes, it was.
      
      The bottom line is it is very easy to become addicted to nicotine and in some social circles it is behavioral norm.  That is why it is so ubiquituos.

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      nikki1posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The nicotine is a strong toxin. Its a addictive chemical. Some may even get a some what high from it. Some may be scared to stop because of the cravings from it. They may get fat.

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      tony0724posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Smokin what ?

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         Beth100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Don't ask! 

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      Techtreeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Smoking is the best way to loss weight. One lung at a time.

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   Mikel G Robertsposted 14 years ago

   Personally, because I enjoy it.
   
   I enjoy many things that might be fatal, driving cars, riding motorcycles, eating steak, sex, etc.etc.etc.

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      jabyrd82posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is very true you on live once! Enjoy it!!!!!!

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   TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years ago

   Well, I'm not so sure about starting. As for stopping I know from experience that it is very hard. Not impossible...but very hard.
   
   From what I understand, nicotine is the most addictive substance on earth.
   
   It has little to do with intelligence, and with all due respect, you undermine the suffering of smokers and those who are attempting to quit smoking when you suggest such a thing.

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   earnestshubposted 14 years ago

   Maybe they're on fire!

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      Iðunnposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      lol

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      wyanjenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      And, the Funniest Post goes to...
      earnesthub!
      woo hoo
      
      
      
      
      
      Well, I'm not trying to quit out right but I did switch to the e-cig a while ago...
      which I just tried lighting with my Bic. Go figure. The next thing I'll probably do is try to light a Marlboro with a battery charger.
      
      I think it's time to go to sleep, and my brain seems to be way ahead of me there.

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   GoGrannyposted 14 years ago

   Many of us smokers ask ourselves this very question everyday. Especially myself and my many co-workers, we work in a nursing home and we directly witness the horrific physical effects smoking has on the human body. We talk about it often as we puff away on our cigarettes. We just don't know why we won't quit despite our medical knowledge and what we see on a daily basis. It truly is a terrible addiction.

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   mega1posted 14 years ago

   If you have never smoked or maybe smoked once when you were little and it made you sick - you will never, never, ever, ever, be able to understand and anything any smoker says about reasons or lack of reasons will ever ever ever make any sense to you.  But asking about it the way you did sounds like you just want to kinda brag about how good you are for not smoking . . . not nice.

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   luvpassionposted 14 years ago

   I'm not sure about this but my father grew tobbaco in Virginia and I think since its restricted in so many more buildings now, the tobbaco companies are upping the nicotine content.

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   Pani Midnyte Odinposted 14 years ago

   "Everything good in life is illegal, immoral, or fattening. Anything not fitting these categories probably causes cancer in rats." -Unknown Source
   
   I smoke because I want to and, to be honest, I've given up things that are far worse than a few cigarettes each day. If I want to have one luxury in life, that's my business, not anyone else's. Do I endorse or encourage smoking? No. "Do as I say, not as I do" is a sign I proudly display on my kitchen wall.

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   mega1posted 14 years ago

   oh you know, I also think they are doing these studies on people and some of us seem to have more brain receptors that make those soma chemicals when we have nicotine, booze, sugar, really good sex, etc. which means there may be a physical, hereditated reason why some of us are more prone to addictions.  It really isn't an "excuse" . . . but also we are more creative. so there. nyah nyah nyah!

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    luvpassionposted 14 years ago

    I only quit because it was my grandmother's dying wish. It was a struggle. She had two sisters die from lung cancer, they were in their 70s. It was hard for me especially with my dad growing it. LOL

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       Pani Midnyte Odinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Aww, that is really an admirable thing, honoring your grandmother's last wishes. I'm sure it will benefit you in the long run as well.

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    NorwinGalleposted 14 years ago

    may be emotional attachment with cigarettes.

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       edguiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I must admit that I do not have an emotional attachment to cigs but I do still smoke socially at clubs when I drink

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    Originposted 14 years ago

    This can be said about many things.
    
    Why do people drink if they know it can be unhealthy?
    Why do people eat McDonalds if they know it can be unhealthy?
    Why do people mountain climb if they can fall to their death?
    Why do people sky dive if they can go splat and die?
    Why do people eat a lot of deserts when they know they can gain weight and die?
    Why do people need to have coffee all the time? This can lead to problems too.
    
    The list goes on, and on. This isn't just about smoking, it's about everything that people do. Some things are not healthy, true. But smoking isn't the only culprit here. A lot of things that 'normal' people do could be labeled as unhealthy too, it's just not in the media spotlight, yet.

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    Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

    

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    mega1posted 14 years ago

    why don't people just give each other sex whenever someone asks for it?

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       Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       EXACTLY THE POINT I HAVE BEEN MAKING SINCE PUBERTY!!! THANK YOU!!

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          mega1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I'm always trying to make life simpler for everyone, but for some reason people never take my suggestions!  I don't know why!

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             Greek Oneposted 14 years agoin reply to this

             because they are not as liberated as you! (or as perverted as I)

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    SomewayOuttaHereposted 14 years ago

    i hear it is better than prozac.

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    andromidaposted 14 years ago

    Some people really love to smoke their lungs out

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    romper20posted 14 years ago

    In fact, I'm seriously wondering that too. I feel if people are going to smoke they should at least go electic to save their bodies. Check my hubs for a full analysis on the alternatives...
    
    Overall great Hub, and keep up the good work Ben!
    
    RomperHubbers

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       Ben Evansposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you,
       
       Nicotine is a hideous habit.
       
       Cheers,
       
       Ben

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    Cagsilposted 14 years ago

    Interesting to see that you feel that other people should do what you want them to do?   Smoking is a choice.  To be honest, I have stayed out of the forum thread for a reason, and that reason was because I am of the understanding that ANY addiction can be beaten, as long as a person puts their mindset to overcome it and sticks with it.
    
    The human mind and will are the powerful tools a person has and both can never be truly measured. So, that leaves only one answer- mind over matter.  As long as you do not mind, it does not matter. If you happen to be weak-willed, then admit and seek help. If you're not, then you understand smoking is a choice.
    
    Just a thought.

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       Beth100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       It's more than mind over matter. For many, it is a complete lifestyle change which includes living space, friends, family, work, nutrition and attitude. It is proven that addiction is a gene that we all have but it can be turned "on" for people who have a family history of addiction. It can be turned "on" for those without a history. It's hit and miss on how the experience is for that person. Unfortunately, once the switch is flipped to "on", it cannot be turned "off". Hence, once an addict, always an addict. The choice is to continue working on a program that supports the person to stay off of the addiction and this work is only measured by the moment. There are different triggers that can cause an addict to crave what he is addicted to. For smokers, it might be a football game, a particular bar, a scent, a movie, friends, a card game and so on. To be able to choose to not turn to smoking, the person has to be honest with himself to decide whether he can resist when he is in those circumstances. That's the choice.

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          logic,commonsenseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Beth, do you know that if you smoke after sex, then you are doing it too fast?

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             Beth100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

               I think we had this conversation before?!?    Smoking and steaming -- now, that's too fast! 
             
             How are you tonight logic?

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                logic,commonsenseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Must have slipped my mind!  Must be going to fast!
                I'm barely awake, looking for a little levity!
                Is it warming up in the Great White North?

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                   Beth100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Aye, you're waking and I'm falling!  It's spring finally, though we did have some snow last week.  I wouldn't be surprised if it snowed again at the end of the month!  Oh, but that's okay...you're pretty fast and ya can keep me steaming! 

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                      logic,commonsenseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      Youre pretty hot all on your own!

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                         Beth100posted 13 years agoin reply to this

                         Better when there's two! 

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                            logic,commonsenseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                            I know that's right!  Especially when one of them is as sweet as you!

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    Csjun89posted 13 years ago

    Probably their cultural norms and peer pressures, coupled with the chemical addiction of the cigs.

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    Beth100posted 13 years ago

    Smoking is like any other addiction -- it's difficult to quit without proper support. 
    
    I work with cancer patients on a daily basis, and I walk away perplexed when I see some of these patients standing outside in the smoking only designated areas away from the hospital grounds puffing away, and they are fully aware that their cancer stems from their smoking. 
    
    Perhaps we underestimate the power of addiction whether the addiction is to cigarettes, drugs and/or adreline rushes through dangerous activities/sports/sex.

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    Beth100posted 13 years ago

    Ah,  you're the sweet one!
    
    (are we hijacking the wrong thread??) 

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    CYBERSUPEposted 13 years ago

    Health issues and Death happens to the other guy, not to Me !
    Great thinking.

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