So... why start smoking?

[KiraTaureLor]

The way I started smoking was during High school, due to peer pressure. No one offered me any, or persuaded me to try it. I was just looking for friends, and the smokers tended to have the same issues, and personal problems as me; so seeing them smoking, I said hey why not?

I used to, and still suffer from seasonal allergies that when ever I changed my location, my nose, and eyes would start dripping, my vocals clam up; so when I talk I sound like a badly scratched CD, and lethargy would takeover. My doctors have put me on every allergy medication, and tested me for everything, and there was no solution, it was just something I had to live with, or move to a tropical island. Smoking got rid of all that for during, and after the cigarette, it relaxed my lungs, and unraveled my mind, so that I would be able to function better, not to mention the boost of confidence.

However after the affect was gone stress level rose when thinking of the health consequences, and parents finding out. My total smoking time lasted a year, from the beginning to the end of grade 12. he reason I stopped was because during the summer period,i had no money, and no contact with any smokers. I', sill an ex, but if I ever did gain financial and living independence, there is a high chance I might start again.

Yes, I know the health problems that come with the smoking, and I also know all that shit that the companies are stuffing in along with the nicotine; but honestly I smoked like 3 cigs a day, other than that my lifestyle is generally healthy. so I have the same consequences as people that eat fast food, drink, and etc.

 

[Yopaz]

smoking has a lot of benefits and does more than get you addicted to them

Out of sheer curiosity, what kind of benefits?

Nicotine- relieves stress, ups concentration, all the negative effects are from the smoke itself, not the substance that makes you addicted.

My source, Biology (Brooker, Widmaier, Graham, Stiling) 2nd edition, page 869, table.

I think a lot of smokers start because it can be social, some because they think it will help them lose weight, ome because "It's cool". I don't smoke myself, and I have never done so, never will, but I am one of those who are pissed off because this hate on smokers. I see no reason to hate smokers. They smoke, OK, their choice, their life. Having an addiction in life gives you something to look forward to. I have coffee, and I'm probably as addicted as a smoker is to ciggarettes.

 

[Mykayel1]

I actually like the taste and feel of a cigarette.

 

[Vrach]

List of possible reasons:
- Peer pressure (boy/girlfriend and cliquey groups are the most effective here)
- It looks cool
- Something to do with your hands (honestly, as stupid as it sounds, that's the best reason to smoke imo)
- Interested in what it feels like (it's one of the main reasons why I tried it, I didn't keep smoking though, not so much because I didn't like it, but because I know it's not good for me [though frankly normal cigarettes are boring, Cubans are much more worthwhile])

That's all I got for now, there's probably a lot more reasons.

 

[DigitalAtlas]

I can't say it lowers my anxiety, but for that brief moment my stress just floats away with the smoke I blow out, afterwards I can just carry on easier. It's one of those things that depends on the person, I assume.

Still, I do have to appreciate it due to the fact it has given me initiative to find calming and surreal places just to smoke with my best friend. I've been to the top of the tallest building in our town to watch a sunset over a river, by a bridge where no cars passed on a clear night to the point the water reflected the sky perfectly, and a place of pure nature where man had not disturbed. All this to have a smoke. Pretty awesome to me.

Plus, it can get me out of any awkward moment to say 'well, I have to go take a smoke now.'

I have to ask though:
Exactly how much of that stess is caused by the nicotine cravings?
I'd be willing to believe that nicotine may slightly relax someone, but 9/10 people that claim it gets rid of their stress simply wouldn't be so stressed if not for their body telling them to smoke.

Also, what's wrong with going to those places just to chat?
Or even just to watch the scenery?
Why does it have to be smoking that leads you there?
Hell you could take up a hobby an do the same thing, it'd probably cost you less too.

Were I not an agorophobe that's the kind of thing I'd do anyway, I enjoy just sitting somewhere pretty and talking, or even just watching the scenery.
Then again I am a bit of a ponce.

Generally, I don't have stressful nicotine cravings. I think the one time I did was when I went for a few days without smoking. However, other than that I usually go for over a day without cigarettes easy. Sure, I'll want one (I kind of do now, but nothing I care to go outside and do), but I can always kill the need with the immersion value in any video game or just going on the net.

Usually, we didn't know those places existed or could look so good. Or we lacked ambition. For instance, when Christmas break hit, my friend decided to bring me home, but first we dropped my girlfriend at her mother's place at an old folk's home. Randomly, I said, "Want to grab a smoke on the roof?" It led to a very surreal moment that we both needed, and it was aided by just the feel of a cigarette. Other instances include when that same friend drags me to his church for the sake of company, and we have a cigarette afterwards. It just feels spiritual, and I've been agnostic for years. We did the same thing after meditating at a Buddhist garden. Clear anything up?

 

[Moeez]

When I turned of legal age, my parents told me that if I ever considered smoking to come to them for learning all about it. I've watched them smoke all their lives and I turned them down. However, they also smoked pot and have smoked that ever since I was born. About a couple of years ago, I took them up on pot. I can say that I don't regret that decision whatsoever. I do not smoke cigarettes or cigars, as the health risks far outweigh any form of stress relief I could get from doing so, IMO. I've gotten high a few times and lemme tell ya, music and games are a completely new experience when you are stoned. Although, Persona 4 was kinda weird when I was stoned...the good kinda weird. Still...weird.

I've also done my own little experiment on what happens when I try to smoke a bunch of pot. I've only experienced two outcomes - one four times and the other two times. I either got so high that I feel asleep after being high...or...I got VERY hungry and ate until I satisfied my hunger...THEN fell asleep. However, the second outcome does lead to some interesting moments. For example, one out of the two times I got hungry, I went and opened a family size tomato soup can and drank it like a V8.

So yeah, no tobacco for me. I will NEVER touch the stuff.

You would probably like this movie.
http://www.movieworld2.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/smiley-face-2007.jpg

 

[KiraTaureLor]

For some reason, some smokers think that because reasons to stop smoking were in a PSA, they're automatically invalid. They've got little hints of anecdotal evidence to imply how non-dangerous smoking is (X person smoked and lived a long time), as though that's any real indication of risk factors.

There's a tendency of people to defend any behavior they're involved in, regardless of rationale. Clearly smoking is one of these. In this thread we see people denying the addictive qualities of tobacco, despite irrefutable scientific evidence to the contrary.

Another common flimsy rationale: Man, EVERYTHING causes cancer, should I avoid doing everything that has a risk factor? (Answer, you should logically avoid things with an absurdly high risk factor and little benefit)

This is a vast exaggeration. We commonly see sensationalist articles based on single papers stating something to the effect of "X linked to a mild increase in cancers." These get turned into "X CAUSES CANCER" headlines by non science-savvy journalists. This is vastly different than the vast quantities of epidemiological studies regarding links between smoking and health problems. Equating the two is invalid.

Smoking is a bigger cause of death than car accidents, HIV, murders, (other) drug abuse, suicides, and drinking-related deaths combined. It is completely, unfuckingdeniably, a high-risk activity. 20% of all deaths in the US are from smoking-related health problems.

[HEADING=1]20% of all deaths in the US are smoking-related.[/HEADING]

For every 10 smokers who die from smoking, there is a non-smoker who dies from their smoke.

On average, smokers live 14 YEARS less than non-smokers. If we make some basic assumptions about when people start smoking (around 20 we'll say) and average live expectancy (78), we find that people who smoke reduce the duration of their remaining life by 14/58, or ~30%. That's right, the average starting smoker loses about a third of their time spent alive.

Yes, life is a risk. But smoking is a HUGE risk. In every possible way.

Source

While I agree with most of that, the 20% can't be right can it?
I'd have though that heart disease would be about that much, and I was pretty sure that less people smoke nowadays than they used to, what year is your source from?

I mean I suppose it's possible that the percentage is that high, but if true that suprises me.

Just for the sake of conversation and curiosity, do those studies indicate that the researchers factored in indoor pollution, city pollution, car pollution, and on and on and on

 

[Sakash]

For some reason, some smokers think that because reasons to stop smoking were in a PSA, they're automatically invalid. They've got little hints of anecdotal evidence to imply how non-dangerous smoking is (X person smoked and lived a long time), as though that's any real indication of risk factors.

There's a tendency of people to defend any behavior they're involved in, regardless of rationale. Clearly smoking is one of these. In this thread we see people denying the addictive qualities of tobacco, despite irrefutable scientific evidence to the contrary.

Another common flimsy rationale: Man, EVERYTHING causes cancer, should I avoid doing everything that has a risk factor? (Answer, you should logically avoid things with an absurdly high risk factor and little benefit)

This is a vast exaggeration. We commonly see sensationalist articles based on single papers stating something to the effect of "X linked to a mild increase in cancers." These get turned into "X CAUSES CANCER" headlines by non science-savvy journalists. This is vastly different than the vast quantities of epidemiological studies regarding links between smoking and health problems. Equating the two is invalid.

Smoking is a bigger cause of death than car accidents, HIV, murders, (other) drug abuse, suicides, and drinking-related deaths combined. It is completely, unfuckingdeniably, a high-risk activity. 20% of all deaths in the US are from smoking-related health problems.

[HEADING=1]20% of all deaths in the US are smoking-related.[/HEADING]

For every 10 smokers who die from smoking, there is a non-smoker who dies from their smoke.

On average, smokers live 14 YEARS less than non-smokers. If we make some basic assumptions about when people start smoking (around 20 we'll say) and average live expectancy (78), we find that people who smoke reduce the duration of their remaining life by 14/58, or ~30%. That's right, the average starting smoker loses about a third of their time spent alive.

Yes, life is a risk. But smoking is a HUGE risk. In every possible way.

Source

While I agree with most of that, the 20% can't be right can it?
I'd have though that heart disease would be about that much, and I was pretty sure that less people smoke nowadays than they used to, what year is your source from?

I mean I suppose it's possible that the percentage is that high, but if true that suprises me.

The thing is, they kind cheat with those statistics. They say smoing RELATED deaths. For example, if you die of a heart attack, they ask whether you smoked or have ever smoked. They then put you in the category of 'smoking related death', even if the real cause was the fact you were 400 pounds and ate junk everyday.

Personally, i smoke becuase i want to. I dont defend it, or reccomend it. But im sick of having to explain myself for it. People do all sorts of bad thing to themselves. Smoking is just an easy target

 

[moretimethansense]

Generally, I don't have stressful nicotine cravings. I think the one time I did was when I went for a few days without smoking. However, other than that I usually go for over a day without cigarettes easy. Sure, I'll want one (I kind of do now, but nothing I care to go outside and do), but I can always kill the need with the immersion value in any video game or just going on the net.

Usually, we didn't know those places existed or could look so good. Or we lacked ambition. For instance, when Christmas break hit, my friend decided to bring me home, but first we dropped my girlfriend at her mother's place at an old folk's home. Randomly, I said, "Want to grab a smoke on the roof?" It led to a very surreal moment that we both needed, and it was aided by just the feel of a cigarette. Other instances include when that same friend drags me to his church for the sake of company, and we have a cigarette afterwards. It just feels spiritual, and I've been agnostic for years. We did the same thing after meditating at a Buddhist garden. Clear anything up?

Then you're pretty lucky so far, as I've said in other post my mother gets screamingly angry from watching the discovery channel if she doesn't smoke, though I'm willing to bet good money that situations that stress you would not stress you so much had you never smoked.

Infortunately to prove or disprove that theory I'd need to invent a time machine of some sort, convince you to not smoke, and observe how you react to the same situations that you experianced as a smoker, then observe them again after you started, plus I'd have to factor in how recently you'd smopked before the situation and frankly there are better things I could do with a time machine, like train me a T-rex!

Eh, if that's how you discover these places then fair enough, I'm the kind of person to see a place and think to myself, "I am so going to sit there!", but as I said I'm kinda weird like that, though the same places could be discovered by deciding to have a drink on the roof, though that would hardly be an improvement.

 

[Proverbial Jon]

A family across the road from me are friends of ours and they have turned into more or less an entire family of smokers. I don't get it.

The husband has always smoked, he even has cigars too. The wife never sees any problem with it and will get quite angry if you even complain about the effects of passive smoking. Then within the last couple of years, both the children, both around early to mid twenties, just started taking up smoking...

Now in an age where we KNOW exactly what the effects are and considering they were both past the typical "peer pressure" age (I assume, after all they're not at school) then what on Earth would ever make smoking sound like a good thing to take up?

It truly baffles me. I understand having one because your mates say so, I understand that you could get addicted even from just one... but what makes you take that chance in the first place?

The sad thing is... I saw a status update of Facebook from the younger of the two (a girl about 23yrs) saying that she was going to relax by smoking herself into a coma... Now considering her grandma just died recently after being on oxygen for the effects of lifelong smoking (and was still smoking up to her demise) does this not seem like a bad idea?

 

[Sjakie]

young, stupid, social pressure and the desire to look cool/grown up.

All the other ansers are bulls*** and are usually from smokers who are in denial.

Nicotine is probably the very worst drug around to become addicted to, because it really gets you nothing in return from your addiction. Alcohol and weed for example at least give you a nice buzz when you use it.

Nicotine doesn't do shit for you.

*lights up*

 

[Yopaz]

Yes, life is a risk. But smoking is a HUGE risk. In every possible way.

Source

I defend smoking and I've never smoked a single ciggarette. It's a choice you make, it's legal, and it's not as bad as other addictions. In our western world there are 2 legal addicitve substances, nicotine and alcohol. A drunk driver might run over someone or end up getting killed and killing those in the same car. A smoker may or may not die from smoking over the course of years depending on how much, ome survive 70 years of smkoking so it's not something that must happens, nor killing someone with drunk driving. Smoking is an addiction that is less likely to make you lose your job, friends and family than alcohol addiction.
More than a third of those I know (and have known) over 90 (that accounts for more than 50 persons) have been smoking since they were in their 20's, I know you mentioned this, but my point is that smoking doesn't lead to cancer, heart and lung diseases in 100% of all cases.

Finally, smoking is far from a risk in ever possible way. How many ways are there to die? Bilions. A smoker simply increases the chance for less than 100 possible deaths. A smoker doen't have any bigger chance to die from being struck by lightning, a smoker doesn't have a bigger chance of being mauled by a bear (perhaps less since the bear would shy away from the smoke).

 

[Jonabob87]

young, stupid, social pressure and the desire to look cool/grown up.

All the other ansers are bulls*** and are usually from smokers who are in denial.

Nicotine is probably the very worst drug around to become addicted to, because it really gets you nothing in return from your addiction. Alcohol and weed for example at least give you a nice buzz when you use it.

Nicotine doesn't do shit for you.

*lights up*

Nicotine does give you a buzz, maybe not as powerful as marijuana or alcohol, but it does effect you physically and mentally.

 

[DeadXV]

I have smoked 3 times in my life (all in the one night) and found that ciggarette's do calm you down a little, because they take your mind off of problems you may be facing. However I found that (these particular) ciggarette's had no flavour or any thing that would make me want to do it again.

 

[moretimethansense]

Just for the sake of conversation and curiosity, do those studies indicate that the researchers factored in indoor pollution, city pollution, car pollution, and on and on and on

I think you may have quoted the wrong one pal, I didn't post the statistics.

The thing is, they kind cheat with those statistics. They say smoing RELATED deaths. For example, if you die of a heart attack, they ask whether you smoked or have ever smoked. They then put you in the category of 'smoking related death', even if the real cause was the fact you were 400 pounds and ate junk everyday.

Personally, i smoke becuase i want to. I dont defend it, or reccomend it. But im sick of having to explain myself for it. People do all sorts of bad thing to themselves. Smoking is just an easy target

I figured as much, though you can't deny that smoking would make it worse.

True, but so many smokers get uppity and defensive about it that I feel compelled to call them out on their bullshit.
As I said before, smoke if you really want to but don't lie about the effects, and don't act like some poor put upon victim.

Personal note:
One example of smoker denyal, my mother suffers from IBS, one doctor once claimed that smoking helped with it, my mother now tries to use that as an excuse even to the six (I've fucking counted) doctors that told her that this was bullshit, four of which explicitly told her that it in fact just makes things worse.
Smokers are far from the only people to do this but they are in my experiance the worst by far.

 

[Godsfists]

OK, i made an account just for clearing this up for anyone who still feels confused.

I did a lot of research about smoking.

A brief summary:

As any drug it has an affect that feels positive for the ones tolerable to sustain the immediate intoxication.
It gives you an adrenalin rush and improves digestion.
The intoxication through lungs gives immediate effect on the bloodstream, brains and nervous system.

How harmful is smoking really?
Immediate:
damage and "coloring" of teeth, mouth gum, throat, lungs, skin and nails.
Smell and sticky tar all over the hands, hard to wash off (except when smoking with an adapter). Major decrease of physical stamina. Anxiety (or in other words "ready for action").

People who are not yet "hooked" feel dizzy, anxios, want to cough and might get sick and even throw up when they smoke.
When this effects are gone and feeling bad when smoking is gone, the so-called resistance of the organism is build, and with it- addiction.

Long-term:
Increased risk (high bids on lottery of getting sick with lung, skin, mouth, troat cancer
(google 'em, scary sicknesses).
Heavy or PERMANENT damage to the lungs.
Increased chance of nervous system disorders.
Vain damage.
The list of toxins and their effects in cigarete smoke can be foung online.
Passive smoking also gives you free lottery tickets for all the sicknesses mentioned above.

Why do we smoke?
-- Social- cigarette companies spent 100 of millions to build a good image of smokers
(Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicolson, Humprey Bogard, Marlboro Formula Racing, Cowboy movies)
Smoking in a bar is still fashionable, you look good puffin that cig, but your breath, hair and hands smell. The girl or boy you want to look good for should definately like this odour...you get the point.
It is tough and hard to decide not to smoke when in a social circle of smokers, and people who do that, deserve the credit.
-- "Need a brake" - getting fresh air and smoking at the same time is actully funny absurd.
-- "Relaxes" - only psychologically. The cigarette does not have any medicinal relaxation effect, on the contrary. The relaxation comes from the "inside" the person, not from the
smoke. Taking deep breaths would have a better effect.
-- "Clears my head" - more like putting nitro instead of normal petrol in a car- it will innevitably make the engine do something it is not supposed to. Coffe, green or black tea are a better alternative, but do not work as fast since not consumed through lungs!
-- "A habbit" - habbit plus addiction gives a feeling that smoking is a part of one's identity.
-- "Smoking ocationally" - a biggie, dependant on personal resistance to building habits and addictions. That is why some people can smoke "sometimes" some not. Better of not trying to find out where you want to be, you would be bidding on a liability.
-- "Makes me feel fit" - subjectivelly and short-term. Smoking has no long-term physical benefit. Rather try stamina sports.
-- "I like danger and being edgy" - may i suggest martial arts, stunt sports, mountain climbing? All the things that smoking would make a little more hard to do, since it has all something to do with stamina.
-- "Taste" - the flavor is mainly in the cigarette paper. Parfume and aroma are chemicals. Raw tobaco hardly tastes better than any other random plant.
-- "Pleasure" - if you really like watermellon, do you carry it around with you at all the times? Addiction removes the "i had enough of this for a month or so" barrier in our brain.

Bottom line:
The benefits of smoking are "all in the head"- our heads are very different from each other.
So the story and intepretations are different.
The sience behind smoking is simple: smoking has not one long-term physical benefit.

Hardly will anyone ever force you to smoke.

If you do smoke, then just make sure you really enjoy everything about this activity, not do it for reasons wich you do not comprehend. (like: why do i even spend money on sigarettes???)

And more important, stop smoking at all costs if you realise that you dont like it anymore.

Thats it from me.

Good luck!

 

[Malkavian]

Smoking feels good. Don't let any of the non-smokers who don't know tell you anything different, from their ivory towers.

Now, I have actually quit smokes, to lead a more healthy life, but I still rage whenever I see the legions of non-smokers who think they have the slightest idea what it is to be a smoker.

OP, your post asks a very good question, why? Because it feels good.
I didn't feel sick the first time I smoked. I felt good. It was a comfortable, short buzz. So I did that occasionally, at parties.

I got used to the smoke. I didn't cough whenever I took a drag, I learned to inhale. Then, at some point in my life, I had a very stressful time. I remembered people said cigarettes calmed them down, so I got a pack. It didn't really calm me down that much, but I still enjoyed every cigarette, so I kept smoking.

I know the healthrisks. Very well. My stepmothers father died from cancer caused by smoking. I just don't care. I still don't. Everything is dangerous and can kill you, and maybe that's a stupid viewpoint, but I don't fear the risks enough to keep me from smoking. I have quit now, however, but that is because I am exercising a lot, and need good, working lungs.

Still smoke a hookah several times a week, though.

 

[moretimethansense]

Yes, life is a risk. But smoking is a HUGE risk. In every possible way.

Source

I defend smoking and I've never smoked a single ciggarette. It's a choice you make, it's legal, and it's not as bad as other addictions. In our western world there are 2 legal addicitve substances, nicotine and alcohol. A drunk driver might run over someone or end up getting killed and killing those in the same car. A smoker may or may not die from smoking over the course of years depending on how much, ome survive 70 years of smkoking so it's not something that must happens, nor killing someone with drunk driving. Smoking is an addiction that is less likely to make you lose your job, friends and family than alcohol addiction.
More than a third of those I know (and have known) over 90 (that accounts for more than 50 persons) have been smoking since they were in their 20's, I know you mentioned this, but my point is that smoking doesn't lead to cancer, heart and lung diseases in 100% of all cases.

Finally, smoking is far from a risk in ever possible way. How many ways are there to die? Bilions. A smoker simply increases the chance for less than 100 possible deaths. A smoker doen't have any bigger chance to die from being struck by lightning, a smoker doesn't have a bigger chance of being mauled by a bear (perhaps less since the bear would shy away from the smoke).

I'd just like to point out that
First:
Caffine is somewhat addictive and unless there's been a change in the law recently it is also legal.

Second: smoking can cause accidents, here's a few ways:
1. Many careless smokers simply throw their buts out of the window, more than a few morecyclists have take one to the face, it's rare but it can cause them to crash.

2. Just like texting lighting up splits your attention, so mistakes can be made.

3. Addicts (if they havn't smoked in a bit or are just that addicted) become easily stressed and are more lik,ely to drive aggressivly, have you ever been in a car with someone that's driving to pick up more fags after running out?
It's fucking terrifying.

Also Second hand smoke can cause sereous problems for thoe around th smoker as well.
And don't try to say it doesn't Iv'e seen it happen.

 

[Godsfists]

@ Longshot you are still a hardcore smoker check it out
http://www.ehow.com/about_5092631_hookahs-bad.html

 

[Jonabob87]

OK, i made an account just for clearing this up for anyone who still feels confused.

I did a lot of research about smoking.

A brief summary:

As any drug it has an affect that feels positive for the ones tolerable to sustain the immediate intoxication.
It gives you an adrenalin rush and improves digestion.
The intoxication through lungs gives immediate effect on the bloodstream, brains and nervous system.

How harmful is smoking really?
Immediate:
damage and "coloring" of teeth, mouth gum, throat, lungs, skin and nails.
Smell and sticky tar all over the hands, hard to wash off (except when smoking with an adapter). Major decrease of physical stamina. Anxiety (or in other words "ready for action").

People who are not yet "hooked" feel dizzy, anxios, want to cough and might get sick and even throw up when they smoke.
When this effects are gone and feeling bad when smoking is gone, the so-called resistance of the organism is build, and with it- addiction.

Long-term:
Increased risk (high bids on lottery of getting sick with lung, skin, mouth, troat cancer
(google 'em, scary sicknesses).
Heavy or PERMANENT damage to the lungs.
Increased chance of nervous system disorders.
Vain damage.
The list of toxins and their effects in cigarete smoke can be foung online.
Passive smoking also gives you free lottery tickets for all the sicknesses mentioned above.

Why do we smoke?
-- Social- cigarette companies spent 100 of millions to build a good image of smokers
(Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicolson, Humprey Bogard, Marlboro Formula Racing, Cowboy movies)
Smoking in a bar is still fashionable, you look good puffin that cig, but your breath, hair and hands smell. The girl or boy you want to look good for should definately like this odour...you get the point.
It is tough and hard to decide not to smoke when in a social circle of smokers, and people who do that, deserve the credit.
-- "Need a brake" - getting fresh air and smoking at the same time is actully funny absurd.
-- "Relaxes" - only psychologically. The cigarette does not have any medicinal relaxation effect, on the contrary. The relaxation comes from the "inside" the person, not from the
smoke. Taking deep breaths would have a better effect.
-- "Clears my head" - more like putting nitro instead of normal petrol in a car- it will innevitably make the engine do something it is not supposed to. Coffe, green or black tea are a better alternative, but do not work as fast since not consumed through lungs!
-- "A habbit" - habbit plus addiction gives a feeling that smoking is a part of one's identity.
-- "Smoking ocationally" - a biggie, dependant on personal resistance to building habits and addictions. That is why some people can smoke "sometimes" some not. Better of not trying to find out where you want to be, you would be bidding on a liability.
-- "Makes me feel fit" - subjectivelly and short-term. Smoking has no long-term physical benefit. Rather try stamina sports.
-- "I like danger and being edgy" - may i suggest martial arts, stunt sports, mountain climbing? All the things that smoking would make a little more hard to do, since it has all something to do with stamina.
-- "Taste" - the flavor is mainly in the cigarette paper. Parfume and aroma are chemicals. Raw tobaco hardly tastes better than any other random plant.
-- "Pleasure" - if you really like watermellon, do you carry it around with you at all the times? Addiction removes the "i had enough of this for a month or so" barrier in our brain.

Bottom line:
The benefits of smoking are "all in the head"- our heads are very different from each other.
So the story and intepretations are different.
The sience behind smoking is simple: smoking has not one long-term physical benefit.

Hardly will anyone ever force you to smoke.

If you do smoke, then just make sure you really enjoy everything about this activity, not do it for reasons wich you do not comprehend. (like: why do i even spend money on sigarettes???)

And more important, stop smoking at all costs if you realise that you dont like it anymore.

Thats it from me.

Good luck!

Smoking in bars is illegal where I live