Why Do People Smoke | Why People Smoke

Why Do People Smoke?

Coming around now to over a month without a cigarette for me. It's a good feeling. Very liberating. I've quit before for longer periods of time, but this time I feel I will make it stick. I'll get into some reasons as to why but first, let's discuss Why Do People Smoke?

There have been numerous studies done to explain why people smoke, studies and reports done among others, by big tobacco companies themselves in an effort to understand their target market. There are so many factors as to why people smoke, but let's take a look at a few.

1. For some people, smoking is a symbolic act of civil disobedience. Everyone and even smokers know that smoking is not good for them. When a youth starts to gain some freedom and autonomy from his/her parents, it is a way to express that they are becoming an independent and even adventurous and unrestrained adult. They are taking the plunge into adult coolness. For these people, smoking may be for the image. Hence, the Marlboro Man and Joe Camel, two images of coolness tobacco companies used to market their cigarettes.

besides that, why people smoke...

2. Nicotine is a powerful drug, I've even read it's as addictive if not more so than heroin. The effects are immediate, powerful, and cause a state of alert relaxation. The reason why many people smoke is because of the rush a cigarette gives them. It's all about the buzz. It's the feeling one gets as the smoke goes into the lungs and nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream. Very compelling indeed. I know firsthand.

3. People have unmet needs and wants. That's another reason why people smoke. Some smokers tend to be anxious people with chemical imbalances and possible poor responses to stress. Highly stressed people are at risk to being or becoming smokers. For these people, smoking may be a symptom of a larger problem.

So why is my attempt to quit smoking going to be successful? Because I am addressing the core reasons why I felt compelled to smoke in the first place. I have identified and reminded myself of the positive aspects of quitting smoking and have mentally downplayed any benefits of smoking, i.e. the relaxing feelings. I have decided that more good comes from not smoking. I have changed my responses to stress and am grateful that my truck and I no longer smell like an ashtray. I know that I am not missing out on anything by not smoking. I am even taking an anti-depressant which is helping too. There are solutions out there for people who earnestly desire to overcome cigarette addiction.

The reasons why people smoke are different from person to person. For me it started out as something fun and rebellious to do, evolved into something I did when I was bored, and then became a deeply ingrained habit. To break the habit, it took some time and constant effort, but it's gotten much easier. I wish the same non-smoking success to you too.