# Why do people take up tobacco smoking? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 10, 2016, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328 "2016-08-10T11:10:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/41 "2016-08-11T15:54:36Z")
Kids will be kids. Some kids accept what authority figures tell them and follow their instructions blindly. Some kids think. When authorities say things that aren’t actually true, some of the kids who think figure “WTF, they lied about that, maybe they’re lying about this, too.” For example, “Drugs are for losers” doesn’t quite jive when extremely successful people are so often being found to be using recreational drugs. The anti-tobacco crowd tells kids that smokers are stupid, dirty, losers, etc., and the easily led kids take that to heart, but some of the thinking kids choose to experiment. They find that smoking relaxes them, reduces stress, and gives them mental focus and energy. They also find that not all smokers are stupid, dirty losers – that the “A” Crowd has a high proportion of smokers. Obama didn’t quit smoking until he succumbed to peer pressure after it became apparent that he may actually be elected President – hardly a stupid, dirty loser. I suggest that the anti groups who feel it is OK to lie if it’s “for their own good” are likely partly responsible for some kids starting smoking. If they stuck to honestly providing information more kids might be more trusting of authority figures and may not have to learn so many lessons the hard way – maybe, but then again, maybe not … teenage rebelliousness is not a new thing. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/42 "2016-08-11T15:57:36Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Big Tobacco pays Film and TV to show smoking as cool. Blowing smoke. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/43 "2016-08-11T16:25:21Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > Kids will be kids. Some kids accept what authority figures tell them and follow their instructions blindly. Some kids think. > > When authorities say things that aren’t actually true, some of the kids who think figure “WTF, they lied about that, maybe they’re lying about this, too.” For example, “Drugs are for losers” doesn’t quite jive when extremely successful people are so often being found to be using recreational drugs. > > The anti-tobacco crowd tells kids that smokers are stupid, dirty, losers, etc., and the easily led kids take that to heart, but some of the thinking kids choose to experiment. They find that smoking relaxes them, reduces stress, and gives them mental focus and energy. They also find that not all smokers are stupid, dirty losers – that the “A” Crowd has a high proportion of smokers. Obama didn’t quit smoking until he succumbed to peer pressure after it became apparent that he may actually be elected President – hardly a stupid, dirty loser. > > I suggest that the anti groups who feel it is OK to lie if it’s “for their own good” are likely partly responsible for some kids starting smoking. If they stuck to honestly providing information more kids might be more trusting of authority figures and may not have to learn so many lessons the hard way – maybe, but then again, maybe not … teenage rebelliousness is not a new thing. Here here. Or hear hear, I forget which one it is. This was notable in the ‘This is your brain on drugs’ campaign which just made kids laugh. The lung cancer approach is also a fear tactic that’s often ignored, and the real threat of smoking is that affects your heart, lungs, and just about every other organ in your body whether or not you ever develop lung cancer. We have to stop kids from starting to smoke, the younger you are when you start the more likely you are to face a life-long addiction, and the addition is the worst part of it. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/44 "2016-08-11T19:06:43Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Your last “cite” is from 1993, which by my cacluations was 26 years ago. > > Your other “cites” talk about ads, but none offer any proof that BT has paid media houses to include smoking in TV shows or movies. Here’s a peer reviewed footnoted study: > **[How the tobacco industry built its relationship with Hollywood](https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/11/suppl_1/i81.full)** > > Objective: To describe the development of the relationship between the tobacco industry and the entertainment industry. > > Methods: Review of previously secret tobacco industry documents available on the internet. > > Results: Both the entertainment and... ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/45 "2016-08-11T19:08:44Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Stress relief > Weight loss > Peer pressure > > Those are major reasons people take it up from what I’ve heard. Smoking actually\* increases\* stress. Yes, when you light up, there is a temporary stress relief as you body responds to getting it’s addiction fix. But when not smoking you are more stressed. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/46 "2016-08-11T19:10:27Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > There is some small evidence that tobacco, being a brain-affecting pharmaceutical, can have a beneficial effect for some times of mental illness and/or dysfunction. The claim is not substantiated, but it might explain why some people take up the habit, and it’s common among schizophrenics and some brain-injured people. Of course, there are negative consequences to go along with any positives. > > If there IS a boost for brain function it might account for some of the appeal to some people. Heavy thinkers might use it for that reason. Sherlock Holmes was a fictional character but the notion of him smoking a pipe to aid thought shows the meme has been around quite awhile. Cite? There is a tiny bit of evidence about nicotine, yes. But you can get nicotine without smoking and cancer. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/47 "2016-08-11T19:14:43Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Here’s a peer reviewed footnoted study: > > [How the tobacco industry built its relationship with Hollywood | Tobacco Control](http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/11/suppl_1/i81.full) Well, we’ve went from 26 years ago to 14 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/48 "2016-08-11T19:20:07Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Cite? There is a tiny bit of evidence about nicotine, yes. But you can get nicotine without smoking and cancer. Since you are such an expert you must know that nicotine is a very effective stimulant. Was there something in that post that advocated smoking? This is a discussion of why people take up smoking, and since a lot of people do try it out those who receive some apparent benefit from it are likely to ignore the downside and become full time smokers. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/49 "2016-08-11T19:32:55Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Well, we’ve went from 26 years ago to 14 years ago. So? It documents Big Tobacco paid the Media, time and time again. They even admitted it. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/50 "2016-08-11T20:03:44Z")
> [@smoking on scree and TV- paid for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smoking-on-scree-and-tv-paid-for/749088/18): > > I think\* all\* depictions of smoking are paid for. As has been demonstrated in at least four threads, what you _think_ has precious little to do with reality. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/51 "2016-08-11T20:11:41Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > As has been demonstrated in at least four threads, what you _think_ has precious little to do with reality. That is my opinion, and has not been proven wrong. I have proven that Big Tobacco has, many times paid for smoking portrayals and placement in TV & Film. That the practice was common. Can you prove it is no longer common? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/52 "2016-08-11T20:17:35Z")
Can you prove that it still is? 😃 Oh, right: > [@Preacher -- The New Show / Old Comic Now Airing on AMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preacher-the-new-show-old-comic-now-airing-on-amc/755371/35): > > Big Tobacco carefully hides it’s funding :dubious: How convenient. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/53 "2016-08-11T20:21:00Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Can you prove that it still is? 😃 This is getting to be a hijack. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/54 "2016-08-11T20:22:51Z")
You’re the one who poisoned the well. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Big Tobacco pays Film and TV to show smoking as cool. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/55 "2016-08-11T20:56:01Z")
Yaknow, I’ve never seen a windmill with its sailcloth composed of unfolded cigarette cartons. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/56 "2016-08-11T21:28:29Z")
Peer Pressure. That, and the handsome rugged image of a manly-man… one waving around an unlit cigarrette… …in a 3XL shirt, a backward baseball cap, wearing size 50 shorts over size 85 calfs while standing in sneakers without any socks. Its just so Classy and Appealing!!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/57 "2016-08-11T21:58:22Z")
You want anecdotes? I got one for you. I’m 50 and I started smoking about 2 years ago. Why… because it’s fucking delightful! Okay, I’ll make this quick. I grew-up in the smoking hey-days… all our family members did it. Mom and dad would smoke at dinner, in the car, etc. It was just normal. My friends and I snuck off to smoke a pack when I was about 12 and… yech. Those things were shit! I had no interest in them then and this lasted all through high school and college and most of my adult life -including all my years working in the live music biz, too. Then, I started hanging-out and eating sushi with an old college friend who smoked kretek (clove cigarettes). I still thought they were crap but one night, after a few drinks and the ego-boost of a friendly waitress, I decided to try one. Goddamn… that thing was yummy. It was like smoking candy. I love the taste on my lips and tongue, as well as the way they light-up my nose and lungs as I get a slight inhale. But, get this, I don’t like the buzz. I shallow-inhale to keep from getting stoned off them. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/58 "2016-08-11T23:26:08Z")
I probably started around 1952 when I was 15. My parents both smoked, my mother’s parents both smoked (I don’t remember about my father’s). Most of my classmates smoked. It was cool. And the health hazards were not nearly as well documented 64 years ago. My father had a heart attack in 1949 and was advised to stop. He didn’t and suffered a fatal heart attack in 1969. I suffered a heart attack in 1965. I never smoked another cigarette and I am still around to tell about it. As for why they start today, I am mystified. Still far fewer do. It wouldn’t surprise me to see tobacco outlawed. That would be a worse disaster. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2016, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/59 "2016-08-11T23:51:03Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > So? It documents Big Tobacco paid the Media, time and time again. They even admitted it. I’m picturing this Big Tobacco dude with a heavily waxed handlebar mustache. Can you confirm or deny this? ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2016, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328/60 "2016-08-12T01:53:43Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Stress relief > Weight loss > Peer pressure > [@kiz](#): > > Smoking is still commonplace in both food service and retail, especially for the stress relief. > > Re food service, the mode of thinking has always been (or at least since I’ve been in the business) is “better to smoke than feed your face because if you stop smoking you won’t stop eating”. Watching a coworker suddenly gain X lbs. after quitting was enough to convince my 20-something mind to never quit. Am I correct that meditation, psychedelics and mild stimulants like Modafinil would not be preferred among the types that would use smoking for weight loss and stress relief? I wonder how much the spread of Ritalin, Adderall and other stimulants has contributed to reductions in smoking. Perhaps because of people I’ve known, I’ve got this idea of people dealing with psychological issues by drinking beer while smoking cigarettes and it just seems like a blatantly counterproductive way to do it. > [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I probably started around 1952 when I was 15. My parents both smoked, my mother’s parents both smoked (I don’t remember about my father’s). Most of my classmates smoked. It was cool. And the health hazards were not nearly as well documented 64 years ago. > > My father had a heart attack in 1949 and was advised to stop. He didn’t and suffered a fatal heart attack in 1969. I suffered a heart attack in 1965. I never smoked another cigarette and I am still around to tell about it. > > As for why they start today, I am mystified. Still far fewer do. It wouldn’t surprise me to see tobacco outlawed. That would be a worse disaster. You had a heart attack at 28 and made it to (at least) 79? Why do you think it would be a disaster? I’m not saying it would be a good idea but tobacco doesn’t seem like it would result in that big of a black market or that many people would be incentivized to start/keep smoking because of its illegality. To people who stopped smoking (if only for a while), can you describe how withdrawal feels over time? How long until you’re mainly past the withdrawal? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-up-tobacco-smoking/762328.md?page=4)