Question Why did you start smoking?

[chadded]

Following on from Hil's giving up smoking thread, it got me thinking, what made people start smoking in the first place? I've tried it, but never, ever seen the attraction, I just don't get it.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I reckon the majority will say peer pressure, your mates smoked so you were expected to follow. When I started about age 13/14 smoking was definitely more in vogue than today, and advertising gave them impression it was sophisticated. It appeared most film and pop stars smoked and I guess we followed the so called trend.

Given that ingesting smoke can't be good for you and smelling like an ash tray is neither attractive or sophisticated it's a wonder why people keep on with the habit.

 

[jassyfa1]

can of petrol, a match and a double dare enough said

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

To look cool.

 

[Ulysses]

Because i was drunk

 

[chadded]

To look cool.

Yea, but if I see a fittie walking down Southend High Street (rare in the first place I know) and then I see her spark up a fag, I ain't interested.*

So really, I just don't see it as cool.

*If my missus reads this, I'm not interested anyway, I'm just speaking metaphorically.

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Never tried it, never even been slightly interested. Just the thought makes me feel sick. Pulling a bird and her clothes, hair etc stinking of stale cigarette smoke is one of the biggest turn offs going.

 

[Hotman]

Because i was drunk

Bollocks. that might make you try a cigarette, but wouldn't start you smoking. I seem to remember it took me about a year and a half of fairly regular smoking to becom addicted.

i'd admit it was all about looking cool.

One thing i dont understand is those who start smoking at 16 upwards - I gave up at 20 after 8 years smoking, and at 16 was fully aware of the dangers, smell and the fact that it looked ridiculous.

 

[RobM]

It's nice to go to a pub/rock venue and not come out smelling like an old bonfire. The attraction of inhaling smoke from smouldering dead vegetables has never really appealed.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Bollocks. that might make you try a cigarette, but wouldn't start you smoking. I seem to remember it took me about a year and a half of fairly regular smoking to becom addicted.

i'd admit it was all about looking cool.

One thing i dont understand is those who start smoking at 16 upwards - I gave up at 20 after 8 years smoking, and at 16 was fully aware of the dangers, smell and the fact that it looked ridiculous.

Actually I didn't start till 17, and with me it was the going into pubs and clubs and everyone else smoking - so peer pressure in a different way, wanting to fit in.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Had a great weekend in Newquay with mates when I was 21 smoking (ahem) Turkish cigarettes in a hippy B&B where the landlady joined in(!)....came home monday morning getting up at 6am for a dismal job and had the holiday blues so bought some cigs.

Fortunately never really smoked more than 5/6 day (unless I went out on the lash) so when I did give up about 6 years after it was pretty easy.

 

[Slipperduke]

Smoking makes you look cool. Always has done. Always will.

 

[SUFC Forever]

Because it made me look big and tough. Same reason I enjoy swearing so much.

 

[Benji91]

Yea, but if I see a fittie walking down Southend High Street (rare in the first place I know) and then I see her spark up a fag, I ain't interested.*

So really, I just don't see it as cool.

*If my missus reads this, I'm not interested anyway, I'm just speaking metaphorically.

Biggest 1-0 of the year

 

[londonblue]

Yea, but if I see a fittie walking down Southend High Street (rare in the first place I know) and then I see her spark up a fag, I ain't interested.*

So really, I just don't see it as cool.

*If my missus reads this, I'm not interested anyway, I'm just speaking metaphorically.

Same here. For me smoking is the number one turn off.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I wanted to smell like an ash-tray.

 

[chadded]

Smoking makes you look cool. Always has done. Always will.

Yeah, well cool with a **** cough and yellow fingers. 'I'm just popping outside into the freezing cold because I'm weak and I'm addicted to catching cancer.' You go and be cool whilst I stay nice and warm. :)

 

[leeblue]

I just sort of started cos my mates did, I didnt touch one till I was 17, gave up three years ago and look back and think WTF was I doing, and giving up was a piece of cake, this is how I done it........I didnt buy any fags...........I wasnt smoking......then when someone offered me one........I said no.......genius

 

[Mad Cyril]

I started smoking at 11.

I was buying some fireworks and the newsagent asked if I wanted some cigarettes to go with them.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Yeah, well cool with a **** cough and yellow fingers. 'I'm just popping outside into the freezing cold because I'm weak and I'm addicted to catching cancer.' You go and be cool whilst I stay nice and warm. :)

Didn't have to pop outside in my day.