I've never smoked - when I was a kid, my parents were always emphasizing to me how unhealthy a habit it was; how it could make you very sick and even kill you.
When we'd visit my grandparents when I was little, we would sometimes all go to this Chinese restaurant in Winnipeg (my grandparents lived right on the Canadian border) and the owner there would always come and hang out with me...he'd make me these little animals out of sliced vegetables, and he was very cheerful. He also smoked, and he would sometimes take out his pack and hold it out to me saying, "You want one? It's very good!" (He was just kidding) and then I would become indignant and read him the riot act about why he shouldn't be smoking. Poor guy, getting lectured at in front of his customers by a 4 year old, lol....
He died some years ago from a tobacco - related disease and his restaurant was bought by someone who wanted to sell short - order American food.
Neither one of my parents ever smoked, either. When my dad was in high school, he was involved in a drama production and the part he was playing called for the actor to smoke a cigarette. He thought he'd try one to see if he could get into the role, and it made him incredibly sick. He tried to get a different part after that.
My mom tried smoking when she was in college, but she didn't find it "interesting" at all and just never pursued the habit further.
When my stepfather was a teenager, his mom found a pack of cigarettes in either his or one of his bro's drawers (they didn't really smoke them, they probably just carried them around to look "cool") and his mom called all her sons into the kitchen lit a cigarette for each one, and told them to smoke it. They did, and they all got really sick and as far as I know, none of them smoke today.
My Grandma's cool like that.
As for me, I don't smoke and I never will, for myriad reasons:
1.) It's an expensive habit and there are things I'd much rather spend money on than cigarettes.
2.) They can cause a ton of health problems and I have enough of those to worry about as is (cholestrol, triglycerides, anxiety and depression)
3.) I own lots of plushies, blankets, and other soft things, and tobacco leaves an odor.
4.) Tobacco SMELLS and is messy.
5.) My dorm doesn't allow it.
6.) My parents would be horrified if I started.
7.) The cravings late at night and in the mornings.
8.) It adds to the pollution in the air and makes it that much harder for those with asthma, COPD, and lung disease to breathe.
In summation, it's just a lot of trouble I don't need.
*Steps off soapbox*
_________________
I wish Sterling Holloway narrated my life.
"IT'S NOT FAIR!" "Life isn't fair, Calvin." "I know, but why isn't it ever unfair in MY favor?" ~ from Calvin and Hobbes