Why did you start smoking?

[AMMO Kid]

Dear Escapists,

I was outside a place about an hour from my house today and I saw a few guy smoking. On my way home from there I was thinking about how I almost started smoking a few years ago because my friends would think I was one of the gang if I did. Again, a few weeks ago I was sitting in a break room of a test, and a guy came up to me and asked if I smoked(he was obviously under 18). Then again I saw the same guy later talking about his favorite flavors and such in the hallway to a guy with a lighter in his hand.

So I was wondering, why do people start smoking? Or more directly, why did YOU start smoking(if you do).

 

[rockyoumonkeys]

Honestly...I smoked for about a week in college, and my reason was "to see what the big deal was".

Made me physically ill, so I stopped.

 

[Colour Scientist]

It started out when a couple of my friends and I would steal cigarettes from our parents for fun when I was about 13/14 and it just developed from there.
We all still smoke to this day, group mentality I suppose.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

In a word, rebellion.

 

[Blue_vision]

Never had a cigarette before, but from what I see of other people, it's a combination of rebellion and the apparently cool smoking cliques. Really a shame.

 

[Subzerowings]

I never smoked anything, nor have I ever used drugs or alcohol.
I always wonder why people start with that kind of stuff.

 

[SovietSecrets]

Started smoking pot after my friend introduced me to it and it was pretty fun, but I have stopped. I smoked cigarettes because hell it was legal, but I have stopped that too.

 

[Tharwen]

I don't. I tried one once. It didn't really seem worth continuing.

 

[TehCookie]

I asked someone that very same questions and they said because they liked the feeling of being lightheaded, then they got addicted.

 

[SaKenyi]

To be honest, I originally started smoking because they did it in Band of Brothers. Being a complete wargeek at the time, I just couldn't resist buying myself a package of lucky strikes, light one up and stroll through the town with a WWII helmet profoundly placed upon my head.

I got some weird looks (more than that, even) but it wasn't like I cared at the time (hell, I still wouldn't care). After that, smoking just generally stuck to me and before I knew it, I stepped over packages of tobacco and taking to rolling my own cigarettes, happily smoking them when drawing, lazying in the garden or at parties.

 

[Zap Rowsdower]

Never tried, never will.

 

[Sacman]

I don't smoke... Cocaine goes up the nose...

 

[reg42]

I wanted to try hookah, because it's a big social thing here. I still smoke it because I really enjoy it.

As for cigs, I tried my first one because I was drunk and I smoked a few more since then, but I've pretty much stopped with them; they yield no satisfaction for me.

 

[Fetzenfisch]

It started with a some nice hookah evenings with friends, then i discovered Black Devils which just smelled and tasted great, and then hello addiction

 

[stygN]

I guess I started for a few reasons but I won't give you my whole life story, that cost money.

Basically: 1: To get friends. 2: Rebellion. 3: Because I thought I was some kind of superhuman that didn't get addicted. I stopped smoking after about 3-4 years and started on the heavier tobacco product known as Snus (wiki or google it).

It's a sort of.. Uhm.. Paste thingie that you either form into a preferable shape and stuff it under your upper lip, or you could get them pre-packed in a material that would resemble a tea bag, only slightly softer I guess.

It gives you heaps and heaps of nicotine and its super hard to quit.

Though, it's vastly less dangerous then smoking, and best of all, you don't hurt anyone around you by using it!

And though you may get brown teeth, just brush them twice a day, it don't stain your teeth really...

Quite the contrary actually. This habit makes you produce a bit more spit, and spit is good for your teeth (that's one of the reasons why our body produce it..).

Al right.. Enough now I guess.

And oh, stay on the track you're on. Don't start smoking... It's way too good ; )

 

[Casual Shinji]

I smoked from the age of 15 to 18.

I started for the same reason most teenagers do; being part of the gang. Ultimately, I continued smoking because I liked it, but I quite 9 years ago.

 

[smashmaniac64]

never smoked before and dont plan to