When I was a teenager/young adult, I used to smoke when my friends and I would go out to the clubs. Mostly cloves, though, and I’m not sure if those are the same as regular cigarettes. Never got addicted. My cousin, though, moved in with her mom when she was 16 (long story) and her mom actually got her started on them. One of my other friends went through a bad divorce, and took up smoking because they calmed her nerves. They’ve both been smoking for 14+ years now, both mention wanting to quit from time to time, but haven’t made the attempt yet. The saddest thing to me was seeing them both pregnant (at different times), belly all big…puffing away on a cigarette. They are both wonderful parents and I know they would not have subjected their unborn children to that if they weren’t completely addicted. I just give thanks that it didn’t get ahold of me like it did them.
I started smoking because the people I thought were “cool” smoked. Seriously. I was in junior high, and cool was damned important. I started drinking and drugging for the same reason, at about the same time.
I got hooked like a fish. Immediately.
I loved smoking. I would still be smoking if I could. I quit on Thanksgiving Day 1992 and haven’t had a single one since. If I did, I would be back up to 2 packs a day in a New York minute.
Quitting smoking was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I am drug & alcohol-free as well.