So... why start smoking?

[Fooz]

its a touchy subject, people that smoke will most likely defend it in some way, and people that have never smoked are kind of ignorant when it comes to why people do it

i fall into the latter which explains my opinion

people that do it because it relaxes them are a tad bit weak, when im stressed i do not smoke or drink or anything, i just get on with it (mainly because i work better under stress). it annoys me when some of my friends cant go 10 minutes without a ciggerette, its rude when they up and leave just for a poison stick

 

[Gauntes]

because world is shit and I never planned to live forever

 

[blarghblarghhhhh]

A fairly strong cigarette, the headspin I received was amazing, I loved it. So I started smoking because I enjoyed the headspin and the feeling of relaxation I received.

After a while, I no longer got the headspin, but I still enjoyed smoking.
I enjoy going outside and having a cigarette to cool off and think about stuff. (Hence I dislike smoking inside.)

Conversations between smokers has always been really interesting as well, if its between co-workers or theatre performances (the main leads all chain smoked.)

this. especially the part about smoking outside. my sleep schedule no longer allows for it, but I used to love walking around my neighborhood at 2 in the morning just smoking and thinking about shit. taking in the world around me.

 

[Yureina]

I am allergic to cigarette smoke. Have been since I was a kid. Kinda... makes it impossible for me to ever consider doing that.

As for why other people do it... I don't know. I've never actually met someone who was "just starting out" with that, so... I could only guess as to why.

 

[NezumiiroKitsune]

If someone asked "Do you smoke?" I'd say no, because what they mean is "Do you actively seek out cigarettes on at least a semi-regular basis or accept them when offered?". I don't, and there it's completely possible I'll never smoke anything again, but I have smoked tobacco and other things. The first time I did I was legally permitted to do so, so I wasn't too young to evaluate the risk. I made the choice to based on my educated understanding of addiction, disease directly linked to different forms of substance abuse, and the relative overall risk compared to short-term benefits. The same reasoning behind why I'm comfortable drinking alcohol or even eating pork scratchings, sweets, etc... It's all relative, and I'm comfortable with how I live. I understand how someone who smokes regularly can be well educated on the matter and have excellent reasoning skills and still wish to smoke. It's as much as preference to anyone with willpower more than anything. It hardly compares to the likes of phet or opiate addiction.

So why did I? I enjoyed it.

I've had a few friends become smokers in college. One began because she used to have a couple with friends on nights out every week, and that slowly (as I told her it would, but she stubbornly denied it) seeped into her everyday life until she was smoking 10 a day. Another, my oldest friend, began because he was frequently in a bad place and liked that it eased the stress of college and made sociability easier. So there's two different cases.

 

[Raineheart]

A fairly strong cigarette, the headspin I received was amazing, I loved it. So I started smoking because I enjoyed the headspin and the feeling of relaxation I received.

After a while, I no longer got the headspin, but I still enjoyed smoking.
I enjoy going outside and having a cigarette to cool off and think about stuff. (Hence I dislike smoking inside.)

Conversations between smokers has always been really interesting as well, if its between co-workers or theatre performances (the main leads all chain smoked.)

this. especially the part about smoking outside. my sleep schedule no longer allows for it, but I used to love walking around my neighborhood at 2 in the morning just smoking and thinking about shit. taking in the world around me.

Exactly. Fortunately I don't go to sleep until around 4am, so I tend to go for extended walks in the freezing cold around my streets. Especially good to watch the sun come up while having a smoke.

 

[SleepyChan]

Since I only recently started smoking, I'll try to give you an answer.

My mom died last June. It was brain cancer, it was at home, and I was her caretaker (I was 21, BTW). My family has since crumbled, my life is horribly pathetic, and I was teetering on the edge of a massive bout of depression. So, one day I decided that I wasn't going to make up excuses for not doing the things I may have wanted to do in the past. I've lived my life as a bit of a goody-goody, you see. So I told my best friend over dinner that I wanted to smoke. Simply put, I wanted to give my life a jump-start. So she bought me my first pack (American Spirits, orange case) and lighter. Then we smoked down on the waterfront under the full moon. It was the most liberating moment of my life.

At this point, many people might point out that this is a stupid reason to start smoking. They'd bring up cancer, stigmas, and the other downsides to such a habit. But really, they'd be missing my point. I'm not smoking to fit in. I'm not smoking to escape from my problems. I'm not even smoking because I particularly like it.

I smoke now because I am free to do so. I smoke because for each small puff of smoke that enters my lungs, I'm taking a new and different look at my life and the way I've lived it. With each cigarette, I stop and enjoy life. I listen to the world around me and appreciate the small things. I live. And yes, some small, dark part of me feels that each smoke may someday lead my back to my beloved mother, whom I miss dearly. It's delusional, but there you go.

Sorry if this seems too poetical or full of bullshit. I am what I am, and I enjoy the occasional smoke. I hope this answers your question?

I had a similar sensation when I started smoking but it involved rebelling with my own parents who enforced a lifestyle on me so I wouldn't mimic their own mistakes.I know it's not really the same but I remember the feeling back then when I started doing things I was always afraid to do so I'd be a goody-goody.Starting with a smoke.

I can almost understand why non smokers are such bigots.Hell people you've had to live all your life resisting silly urges to try something when your entire society says it's bad.Hell if you're gonna live it that way then you must make every smoker's life hell for that.Just to feel better about your free of addiction lives.The analogy of vegetarians comes to mind.I like my meat and I like my smokes.I damn well love my addictions and I'm not giving up on them.

It's nice to hear someone understands.

I've read past this post now, and I'm seeing a lot of people state that they just wanted to to try it, or that they didn't really care about the side effects. It's interesting that the people who rant against smokers and those that dabble always seem to say that we don't really know or understand the consequences...the risks.

Well, some of us do. As I mentioned earlier, the catalyst for my starting was my mother's death. I saw for myself the horror that is cancer. I woke up each morning to see her breathing become more labored, more painful. I saw firsthand what was happening inside, and it killed me. And yet, I put myself at risk of the same fate. I know it. I embrace it. Does it make me selfish? Perhaps. But do NOT claim that people like me don't understand.

I was a CNA after high-school. Many of my residents died of life-long smoking related illnesses. I know what it looks like, smells like, and ends like. I am not ignorant. I am simply at a place in my life where death simply does not frighten me like it did before that morning when I checked for my mother's pulse and found none.

Beyond that, I also go out of my way not to let the rare smoke I might have bother anyone. I smoke alone, and secluded. I maintain proper hygiene in an effort to to remain a very private smoker. No one in my life knows I smoke, save for the one who first bought me that first pack.

I'm rambling now, but I guess hearing people rant in such a self-righteous manner gets my dander up. Go figure. :/

 

[Godsfists]

Since I only recently started smoking, I'll try to give you an answer.

My mom died last June. It was brain cancer, it was at home, and I was her caretaker (I was 21, BTW). My family has since crumbled, my life is horribly pathetic, and I was teetering on the edge of a massive bout of depression. So, one day I decided that I wasn't going to make up excuses for not doing the things I may have wanted to do in the past. I've lived my life as a bit of a goody-goody, you see. So I told my best friend over dinner that I wanted to smoke. Simply put, I wanted to give my life a jump-start. So she bought me my first pack (American Spirits, orange case) and lighter. Then we smoked down on the waterfront under the full moon. It was the most liberating moment of my life.

At this point, many people might point out that this is a stupid reason to start smoking. They'd bring up cancer, stigmas, and the other downsides to such a habit. But really, they'd be missing my point. I'm not smoking to fit in. I'm not smoking to escape from my problems. I'm not even smoking because I particularly like it.

I smoke now because I am free to do so. I smoke because for each small puff of smoke that enters my lungs, I'm taking a new and different look at my life and the way I've lived it. With each cigarette, I stop and enjoy life. I listen to the world around me and appreciate the small things. I live. And yes, some small, dark part of me feels that each smoke may someday lead my back to my beloved mother, whom I miss dearly. It's delusional, but there you go.

Sorry if this seems too poetical or full of bullshit. I am what I am, and I enjoy the occasional smoke. I hope this answers your question?

I had a similar sensation when I started smoking but it involved rebelling with my own parents who enforced a lifestyle on me so I wouldn't mimic their own mistakes.I know it's not really the same but I remember the feeling back then when I started doing things I was always afraid to do so I'd be a goody-goody.Starting with a smoke.

I can almost understand why non smokers are such bigots.Hell people you've had to live all your life resisting silly urges to try something when your entire society says it's bad.Hell if you're gonna live it that way then you must make every smoker's life hell for that.Just to feel better about your free of addiction lives.The analogy of vegetarians comes to mind.I like my meat and I like my smokes.I damn well love my addictions and I'm not giving up on them.

It's nice to hear someone understands.

I've read past this post now, and I'm seeing a lot of people state that they just wanted to to try it, or that they didn't really care about the side effects. It's interesting that the people who rant against smokers and those that dabble always seem to say that we don't really know or understand the consequences...the risks.

Well, some of us do. As I mentioned earlier, the catalyst for my starting was my mother's death. I saw for myself the horror that is cancer. I woke up each morning to see her breathing become more labored, more painful. I saw firsthand what was happening inside, and it killed me. And yet, I put myself at risk of the same fate. I know it. I embrace it. Does it make me selfish? Perhaps. But do NOT claim that people like me don't understand.

I was a CNA after high-school. Many of my residents died of life-long smoking related illnesses. I know what it looks like, smells like, and ends like. I am not ignorant. I am simply at a place in my life where death simply does not frighten me like it did before that morning when I checked for my mother's pulse and found none.

Beyond that, I also go out of my way not to let the rare smoke I might have bother anyone. I smoke alone, and secluded. I maintain proper hygiene in an effort to to remain a very private smoker. No one in my life knows I smoke, save for the one who first bought me that first pack.

I'm rambling now, but I guess hearing people rant in such a self-righteous manner gets my dander up. Go figure. :/

Sounds just the way i started smoking (i quit long time ago).
Just remember, as soon as you realise that you are not smoking for the reason you started and
that you do not like it, or you understand that it influences you negatively,
know that you "had enough" and its time to quit.
Right now the cigarette is giving you an excuse to be sentimental. It is filling in a gap.
But this gap can be filled with something else, i promise you.

 

[velcrokidneyz]

for me personally i have an oral fixation of always wanting to have something in or near my mouth ie. pencils suckers biting nails toothpick and the like. and it does relieve stress, especially when im studying or for exams. i started with cigars cuz tehy taste good adn transitioned to cigarettes. i dont smoke that much, just about a pack a month or so. but i smoke socially and like the way it calms me. i knwo the risks, i just dont really care.

 

[Blank Kold]

Cigarettes are great for stress; smoke a boge (which is still a stupid fucking word, if that's how it's spelled) and then put that shit out on your arm. All of your anxiety has now disappeared.

 

[Leadfinger]

Death wish, I guess.

 

[Guitar Gamer]

Perhaps this is horrible of me (if this is just wrong inform me) but I kinda see it the same way people now start doing heroine.
No one truly believes it is harmless (unless they are uneducated) or "cool" (unless they are a P.I and/or Rorschach) it is just something you may get into if you are not thinking about it, or perhaps you have gotten tinto a mindstate where you don't care anymore, an apathy inspired crutch if you would.
granted this is somply speculation. If this is bigoted let me know, the smokers I know are form the generation that knew cigarettes as "harmless life savers that are like sunshien wrapped up in paper"

I'm sorry, but heroine:

Spoiler

and heroin:

Spoiler

OT: I see a lot of people saying smoking relaxes them, but I'm not sure I've ever met someone whose first experience with cigarettes didn't involve them choking and gagging, so I wonder how that translates to "relaxing".

My mistake, that "E" always sneaks its way in.
I might also add (on topic) that I haven't met a smoker over the age of 25 who doesn't condemn the act of starting to smoke.

 

[Dr. Pepper Unlimited]

I always wondered this, though never actually asked a smoker this, but why do they (when they buy packs of cigarettes) smack the bottom of the pack a couple of times? I always see this, but never knew. I remember someone told me at one point, but I've long forgotten now. :<

 

[Extravagance]

I work as a chef/bar guy, and my gods are they stressful jobs. Having a smoke break every couple of hours really helps.

That and I'm a philosophy student. Smoking a pipe really goes with the long beard and leather elbow patches.

 

[AgentNein]

I can't speak for everyone, but I started after a bad breakup to piss off the fresh ex. It sorta worked, she mostly just worried about me.

Never could develop a habit though, I'm mostly a social smoker (parties, shows). I'm going to die sooner or later, I've made peace with that.

 

[AgentNein]

I always wondered this, though never actually asked a smoker this, but why do they (when they buy packs of cigarettes) smack the bottom of the pack a couple of times? I always see this, but never knew. I remember someone told me at one point, but I've long forgotten now. :<

Keeps the tobacco packed tightly in the cigarette.

 

[Baneat]

See, if a person started smoking any time in the last 20 years they likely would have known exactly what they were getting into. So long as they were over the age of twelve, they would have known that smoking is addictive. They would have known that cigarettes are expensive. They would have known that they are harmful.

It takes longer than twelve years to fully develop a rationality, you can tell an eight year old drugs are bad (mkay?), and they'll parrot it back to you. It's been proven to not actually count for much in the end. By the time you're 17 or 18 you should have working rationalities, hence why most societal blocks are removed from then on out.

 

[gphjr14]

I had asthma during early puberty and never got into smoking. I do it casually while drinking and while camping to ward off mosquitoes. I work in a hospital and its just not worth it. Took a guy down for an MRI lost his ability to speak to throat cancer. Moderation is the key to most things and as you get older 40+ you should taper off. Though I've seen patients in their 90s who require nicotine patches and at that point I say screw it let em smoke.

Commercials in America do over exaggerate the effects of smoking and weed but the mental satisfaction isn't really worth the physical damage/criminal record.

 

[ParadiseOnceLost]

Well the first time I smoked I was piss drunk. It was the third time I ever drank (I think), and I didn't have much of a tolerance for alcohol, so I was completely out of it.(surprisingly even though I was the last person to start drinking in my group of friends (didn't start till I was 18) I now have one of the highest alcohol tolerances). Anyway One of my friends started smoking and I asked what it was like. They gave me a cig and I was so drunk that it felt really good (whole mixing of stimulant and depressant thing that is why a lot of people smoke and drink at the same time) Me being drunk also meant that I didn't feel the usual abrasiveness of smoke on my throat. From there I began to smoke while drunk. Smoking while drunk turned into smoking on the weekend. Smoking on the weekend turned to social smoking with friends and so on. I stopped smoking now expect on rare occasions (my last cig was on New Years).