# Why do people start smoking in this day and age? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 7, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-start-smoking-in-this-day-and-age/560229 "2010-11-07T01:35:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2010, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-start-smoking-in-this-day-and-age/560229/121 "2010-11-15T11:58:36Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Is that really relevant? It seems like every time we have a thread about smoking, at least one smoker will defensively pop up with, “Oh yeah, but other people \_\_\_\_.” Which may be true, but doesn’t really have anything to do with smoking. And if that’s the best argument you can make–that other people do bad stuff, too–it doesn’t really seem like a very good one. It’s what popped into my mind. In many ways I agree. But who cares if some random guy on the internet smokes or not? Or is a bad driver or not, or a… You get the point. ---
**Author:** ![Ostrya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/35a633/32.png) [@Ostrya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ostrya)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-start-smoking-in-this-day-and-age/560229/122 "2010-11-15T16:10:12Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > But who cares if some random guy on the internet smokes or not? Or is a bad driver or not, or a… I certainly do! ~shakes fist~ ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-start-smoking-in-this-day-and-age/560229/123 "2010-11-15T16:49:09Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > What’s amazing is that the people talking about the benefits of smoking are the people being rational: obviously there must be something in the pro column that gets people to start smoking in the first place. That’s basic psychology: you have to perceive value in something. > > It is very relevant in this case, as you are clearly biased in trying to insult rather than help. . It is \*basic \*psychology I suppose, but beyond basic is the way the mind works with addictions. The “benefit” is getting your fix. As Doc Qadgop the Mercotan sez _"Spell out that while smoking/nicotine use may have short-term pleasurable effects, these effects are not benefits. "_ I am not being insulting, I am being frank. Sugarcoating it is not going to help, smokers are addicts. By and large, Qadgop the Mercotan, our resident MD, a expert in addiction, leans towards my approach. It is true I am being a bit more “bombastic” here, but I assume SDMBers are smarter than the average bear, and can take it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-start-smoking-in-this-day-and-age/560229/124 "2010-11-15T16:50:58Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > It’s what popped into my mind. In many ways I agree. But who cares if some random guy on the internet smokes or not? . I do. I believe that this is a community, and I want us to be smarter, happier and healthier. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2010, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-start-smoking-in-this-day-and-age/560229/125 "2010-11-15T18:35:42Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > I do. I believe that this is a community, and I want us to be smarter, happier and healthier. I am as smart as I am, not bad overall. I am as happy as a clam, happier when I am enjoying a cigar. And, even though I’m 49 years old I have the lungs of a 15 year-old… … I keep them in a jar in my closet _badda-boom_. Don’t take yourself too seriously. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-start-smoking-in-this-day-and-age/560229.md?page=6)