Why do people smoke?

[lemondrizzlebake]

Just curious.

What does smoking do for you?

I grew up surrounded by smokers and have always wondered what the fascination is with smoking.

My dp is an ex smoker and he just said it was what everyone did when they were younger to look cool and it was a way of being sociable.
Is that it?

Do people smoke in their teens to be cool, then become addicted and continue throughout adulthood?

Or does it actually give you some sort of mental boost ?

Do people smoke in their teens to be cool, then become addicted and continue throughout adulthood?

True for me. Although I managed to quit at 29.

Because it’s addictive is my vote.

It's not just about the addiction, sometimes it's more than that. You may start because everyone else is doing it but if you're a bit highly strung like me it's lovely having something to do with your hands or a reason to have a "break" or a chance to meet other people when you're out or somewhere new.

Yes, it stinks, it's expensive and it'll kill you but I do think some people are wired to enjoy the ritual. I often think about vaping (haven't smoked for 10+) years but I know I'll enjoy the ritual too much

I smoke. I am addicted. I enjoy it. I know i should give up but cognitive dissonance... 🤷🏼‍♀️

It calms me down. I am used to a smokey taste. I think better when i smoke.

But i also live in a countey where it is much more accepted socially.

I am also a rule breaker and risk taker generally and am highly extroverted. Probably, contributing factors, too.

I always have half an eye on giving up

I gave up 5 months ago, for the fifth and final time.

It's an addiction - mentally more than physically. Do you have any little routines in your day? Clean your teeth? Imagine doing that routine 20 times a day and then not being 'allowed' to.
It also tastes and smells great when you are a smoker.
I found it both calming (ritual, controlled breathing) and a mental wake up (nicotine). Great when on a deadline!

I found it very helpful to meet other people. It splits a crowd of people into a small group that already have something in common. Good at new jobs, conferences, training, etc.

It keeps your weight down. I was shocked to hear how many top models are smokers, it's crazy, but it stops you eating.

Because I'm hopelessly addicted.

its addictive

Pretty much addiction. Also the associations become part of that, they trigger the addiction e.g. beer and a fag, fag after dinner etc.

The mental boost is not some much a boost, more a head to toe wave of nicotine numbness that feels glorious for 5 seconds then whoosh all sense of energy you had is gone and you feel bleurgh/blah, but the nicotine monster is satisfied.

Have not smoked for 11 years and counting .

I started cos I nicked Mums fags after an argument to be rebellious. Nipping off at school seemed cool.

Because people who grew up in the 70s & 80s were bombarded with people smoking on TV, Films and it was acceptable, everywhere. When I started working in the 90s it was commonplace for people to smoke at their desks. All the "cool" people smoked, so there was an image attached to it.

By the time you realise that it's killing you you're already very addicted.

I used to years ago, and for a good few years too. I can't even imagine why I was so dim. It was hard to give up and it took several attempts, but in the end I realised nicotine addiction lasted 5 days, and the long term addiction was a myth I was feeding myself.

I started smoking as a teen due to social anxiety (I never knew what to do with my hands!) and wanting to fit in with the older "cool" crowd.

I only smoke a couple a day now, having switched to a vape that still gives me that hand to mouth motion, which is the part I'm most addicted to.

I'm so grateful to the inventors of the vape.

I smoke because I am addicted. I do also genuinely enjoy it, but as I am very aware of the health implications and so on, obviously if I wasn't addicted I wouldn't be doing it. It's not just the nicotine. I've temporarily quit for pregnancy three times, the nicotine bit is over in a few weeks- it's the habit itself. The times and situations you smoke, the way you use it as a reward, the mental association you have with it calming you down, the constant feeling that something is missing when you're not smoking, the lack of the rituals, all that jazz.

I started age 11. I liked my first cigarette: when all my friends were pale faced and sick I was having a 'hello, best friend, we are going to get on well' moment. My dad was a smoker (in fact he only gave up in January after 50+ years). The smell of smoke and smokers has positive associations for me. I find smoking quite sexy (obviously knowing the coughing, smell, prolonged and horrible death and so on are utterly unsexy and also knowing that I look the bloody opposite of attractive whilst smoking- no one ever said there is any logic to what makes you think 'ohhhh hot' when you look at it). My list could go on and on and on, but I know that the real reason I continue to smoke is addiction.

Some cigarettes are just really enjoyable, like after a meal or with a glass of wine. I know several people who I would not class as smokers as they can easily go without (and often do for weeks at a time), but they do have the odd 1 in particular circumstances. So it’s not addiction for them.

I think yes of course cigarettes are addictive but it’s a simplistic explanation. I’m addicted but I know I could get champix from my gp and probably give up relatively easily but I don’t. So I think it’s not just a physical addiction but also a mental one. For me the mental one is probably stronger. I enjoy it, I get my cigs cheap from abroad so it doesn’t cost me loads. Yes there’s the health risks but there’s risk in everything and we as individuals decide what risks we’re willing to take. The anti smoking campaigns have been successful in convincing people that everyone who smokes will die a horrible death from it but it’s simply not true. Yes the risk is increased, of course, but it’s by no means 100% certain.

I’ve been through a lot of trauma in my life and some people in similar circumstances have turned to drink or illegal drugs. For me it’s smoking. My friends and family accept it so I don’t really care what randoms on the street (or MN!) think of me. I read all the insults to smokers on here and just roll my eyes!

I read all the insults to smokers on here and just roll my eyes!

I enjoy them, tbh, I have a mental bingo card for smoking threads on MN and never yet has there been a thread in which I didn't get to cross them all off!

I grew up with Mum and Dad smoking all the time around me - at home, in the car, etc. etc. When I was 14, I went on an exchange visit to France, and the mother of the exchangee gave each of us 200 cigs to keep us entertained! So, I became a smoker.

40+ years later, I finally managed to give up, with the help of vaping. I am so happy not to be a smoker any more - the addiction was like a trap I could never escape, even though I hated being a smoker, and wished desperately that I'd never started. I found the cravings and sense of loss overwhelming when I tried to go cold turkey.

I used to think I enjoyed smoking, but it turns out that I didn't really - what I enjoyed was the relief from the craving - each and every time I smoked, so 20+ times a day. That first inhale - ah, the sense of calm it gave me! The calm was just everyone else's normal though - those who aren't addicted don't get the niggly feeling that something's missing!

Now I vape - and ironically, I do actually enjoy it - I like the flavours. I'm down to 0 nicotine now, so have broken the addiction - my plan is to ease off the vaping over the next year with a view to quitting entirely. That plan doesn't scare me like the thought of quitting smoking used to - it's just something to get used to.

My husband still smokes ( he goes outside to do it) and I wish he wouldn't, but until he really wants to quit he won't succeed - you need that inner motivation - to be doing it because you want to, not because someone else wants you to - before you stand a chance. It's really not easy.

I'm a smoker. I will always be a smoker. I gave up at 25 when i fell pregnant. I moved to vaping. I vape daily and have done for 6 years , however in times of high stress, or if I've had a drink, i crave cigarettes. I know I can have one or two and no more for another month, the addiction is gone, but i still turn to it for the mental crutch.

I vape a lot, but i have a packet of cigarettes in my bag that has been there for 3 months and is still half full. I will always be a smoker and I'm happy with that.

I totally agree about inner motivation. The people I know who gave up because they felt they should, rather than really wanted to, have struggled hugely. I know people who still get quite bad cravings 12months+ after stopping. The ones who are really ready just feel relieved.

Many years ago at uni I had a friend that smoked. She claimed it helped her to stay thin (she was very slim) as controlled hunger. She could smoke rather than eat. I have also read interviews with ex models who have also said the same. No idea if it does help to control weight though. Never been a smoker.