What's the attraction in smoking?

I think possibly because smoking is seen as an adult thing.

Because of the "18+" or whatever it is, young kids take it up to make them seem older than they really are.

Some people do it because they're stressed, and they find smoking a releif of the stress, the same as alcohol addiction, really.

Maybe, because the celebrities they look up to are smoking? Maybe they'd like to be more like their idols?

Maybe some people just think, "F*** it," and try it once, and get hooked..?

There's alot of different reasons, but I think it depends on the person.

But yeah, I agree, my friend's aunty is pregnant and she still smokes, her doctor turned around to her and said, "Why do you care what would harm your baby, you smoke, don't you?"

Smoking is pretty disgusting, the smell is horrible. And it sticks to your clothes, I can smell a smoker when they walk past. =/

And omg, it discolours their teeth like hell, as well as increases the cancer risk, among numerous other disadvtanges.

:( Shame. But I personally don't see attraction in smoking, or smokers. If anything, it's a turn off. Isn't it?

ME PERSONALLY IT WAS LIKE AS APPOSE TO DEPRESSION PILLS. IT WOULD COME ME DOWN FOR STRESS AND FRUSTRATION.

Some people start smoking to fit in, some because their parents did, some to be rebellious, I suppose there are many different views. The addiction and weak will keep people smoking, others just dont want to stop.

It's their choice and if they enjoy smoking then i dont see the problem. Everyone knows its a health hazzard but it's their choice to start.

There are any number of reasons that an individual might begin to smoke including, peer pressure, familiarity (family members smoke), boredom, experimentation, and relaxation. I began smoking when I was 16 and finally quit, cold turkey, when I was 51. The use of cigarettes was actually encouraged, and sanctioned, by the medical industry during the 1950's and 1960's. This continued until cigarette commercials were banned from television.

Usually a person who smokes also drinks alcohol. The combination of the two is important as regards the continued use of either or both. Using both alcohol and cigarettes (and cigars to a lesser degree) suggest a social situation, e.g., a bar or saloon. And humans are social animals. When individuals are alone they tend to seek out others who are alone. Saloons or bars provided the social outlet required. Use of alcohol lowers ones inhibitions, i.e., people talk with one another. Use of tobacco (and the smoke therefrom) "blesses" the social situation. Cigarettes and tobacco products have been the medium of exchange (not just monetary exchange) for centuries. Thus, it is more than the nicotine that keeps one smoking. It is an event Sociological.

it can ONLY be addiction, its a habit, Ive been smoking for years and will be stopping with a few friends on the 2nd of jan 2009, we have set the date, and i WILL do it.

I work with people that smoke and it dose my head in you have the smell of smoke on you clothes i was a smoker once and now i hate it because i know the damage it dose

i smoke and i started to relieve stree and now i cant stop. i think alot of people start to be cool. thats why my sis did. but other have other reasons.i am sorry u feel that way toward smokers i don want to speak for us all but i respect people and feel that if someone does not like smoke u should not smoke anywhere around that. it is wrong to make someone breath something that chose not to do. i love the new laws that make u not smoke in certain places. i think that little kids should not have to smell it.

Smoking was once considered a 'rites of passage' to growing up. Young boys of 14 yrs were shown how to roll a cigarette by their dads, old enough to go down the pits - old enough to smoke.

What I find hard to understand is why young people even start to smoke today when they know the dangers, young people who like to think they are so worldly and clever, and yet they take up a habit that could kill them, mostly they are submitting to peer pressure

If tobacco had been discovered today it would be banned.

It is an addiction and is stress related, and the more smokers are told to give up, the bigger the stress,

In the days when you could smoke in hospital day rooms, I actually saw a woman in the first stages of labour light up. I cannot repeat what the staff nurse said to her.

I started simply because I lived such a boring life and felt like I should have something I should rebel with. A stupid reason, but I didn't know better.

Now I mostly regret it, and keep going because I am addicted, and would like to quit for the sake of my health and my bank account.

But I know I would miss it. It is relaxing, it is pleasurable. On a wider scale, it does serve as an efficient method of population control and assists in culling the weaker members of society...kidding...

In my opinion, it feels good to smoke. In your lungs.

And to those whinny current smokers "waaaa, I'll quit on this date" just shut up. There are thousands of ways and drugs out there to help people quit smoking. You're just an indecisive waffler who's too lazy to decide what you want to do with your body.