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Smoking is strange behaviour. Almost every
smoker knows that it's bad for his health, but many smokers continue the habit
for decades, each year experiencing a further decline in health and well-being.
Looked at rationally, smoking is quite disgusting. It stains the teeth and the
fingers, causes bad breath, and creates an unpleasant environment for
non-smokers.
It must be pleasurable, though, otherwise nobody would put up with the negative
side of smoking. Most smokers admit that they enjoy cigarettes, and those that
have managed to quit often feel that they have lost an old friend.
Tobacco is an addictive substance so it's understandable that people find it
hard to quit. Less understandable is what motivates people to take their first
cigarette. What is behind that decision to start smoking?
Many people start smoking when they are teenagers. The desire to fit in and be
one of the 'crowd' is particularly strong during adolescence. Of course, this
desire is also present in adults and can be a motivating factor behind much
human behaviour. Many teenagers begin smoking because they want to be cool. If
their friends smoke there's a lot of subtle (and not-so-subtle) pressure to take
up the habit.
Young people may also feel that smoking makes them 'grown up' or it may be a
form of rebellion against their parents and teachers. Most young people are
already aware of the dangers of smoking so lecturing them about how they are
harming their health can be futile.
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»Ways To Quit Smoking
»Natural
Ways To Quit Smoking
»Quit Smoking with Zyban
»Nicotine gum
»Nicotine Patch
»Becoming a
Smoker
»Smoking addiction
»Dangers of smoking
»Withdrawal Symptoms
»Coping with lapses
»How
to Stay smoke free
»Avoid
weight gain
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Appealing advertising is also a big motivator in
the desire to take up smoking. Tobacco ads usually depict young healthy active
people taking part in fun group activities. The message is clear; Smoke X brand
and you can have this much fun too.
Adults are just as susceptible to popular images surrounding smoking. They are
usually self-aware enough to know that smoking will not be the deciding factor
behind social acceptance, but there is still the powerful image of the smoker as
the rebel -- cool and independent. This can be alluring for some young adults,
especially those who see themselves as being on the fringe.
Perhaps certain individuals are more drawn to smoking than others. There is
evidence that people with a long-term outlook on life are less likely to start
smoking because they know that smoking will shorten their life span and cause
future health problems. On the contrary, those with shorter outlooks are more
likely to smoke.
Other people turn to smoking because they are looking for a way to relieve
stress. Even though tobacco is ineffective for handling stress in the long run,
it does provide short-term relief. Those who have stressful jobs or who are in
difficult life situations may decide to take up smoking.
Most smokers will come to a point in life where they want to quit. They may face
increasing health problems and finally come to the decision to give up the
habit. Unfortunately, the addictive nature of tobacco makes this a difficult
task.♦
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