The reason why people smoke

Post Reply New Topic

This is my theory.

Everybody knows it's unhealthy. But here's my theory.

In western culture, such as the United States, social interactions usually have to be condition based in a lot of cases. You have to have a reason to approach somebody. While I've heard in some countries, if you were to say "Hi" to a random person on the street the other person would have no problem with that. But here, that's not the case most of the time.

So, "can I borrow your lighter" is a condition that can open the door for conversation.

Cigarette breaks, are a place where people are amassed together, become social opportunities.

Of course, the harm of smoking, in the long run, greatly outweighs any "benefits".

Not a bad theory, but I would also include personal philosophies and decreasing rates of smoking in countries into factoring in on the theory. It does make sense, though.

I think the reason people smoke is because they're too green to burn.

To deal with anxiety. Although my psych tells me it actually leaves the anxiety worse once the nicotine wears off.

I started smoking last year because my partner went into a deep depression (I'm talking hospitalized multiple times in a few months, had to leave her job depressed) and she started smoking again, which she does when she goes into these depressions. I was begging her to stop but she said she "needed" it. She was doing other more self-destructive things as well. I was in my own depression because I had just been laid off, among other things. So I thought, "I wonder how she'll feel if I start smoking then" because I have health problems and have no business smoking. So I started. She has never asked me to stop, and it's been about a year. Of course, she might feel like a hypocrite if she did since she is still smoking. So, now I'm addicted to it and working up the gumption to stop. Talked to my psych about it finally and she was helpful. So you guys are the only ones besides my psych who know why I started smoking.

There's various reasons, however smoking is declining since it had become the social standard since the 60's.

But I still see my streets littered with cigarette butts.

But it's banal. It's not important why anyone smokes. Jesus said "It's not what goes into a mans mouth that defiles him, but what comes out of it." We need to worry about bigger issues like why in the blue christ is the EU aloud to borrow such a ridiculous lump sum of invisible money, and small business owners get the boot out the door of the bank?

Instead, people worry about smoking, and how it's affecting their lives.

Like if that's actually a concern.

This isn't why I started smoking, but it's something I enjoy about it. I never talk to strangers normally, but I have had some really good conversations while borrowing lighters, etc. The downside is that none of them ever really last more than ten minutes...

I agree with you. People smoke not only of the addictive necotine in the cigarettes but of the social acceptance you get with it.

I agree with you. People smoke not only of the addictive necotine in the cigarettes but of the social acceptance you get with it.

I smoke cigars entirely because I like the taste, but the reactions they cause in some people is admittedly amusing. I will say that they are an excellent conversation starter, especially at a cigar bar where everyone has different opinions on different brands, cutters lighters, smoking techniques, etc. Trying to blow the perfect smoke ring is also very relaxing to me, it's something that can occupy my mind without really thinking about anything.

I smoke because I enjoy it.

But in reference to the theory suggested above, from a social standpoint I see smoking as a way to temporarily remove myself, rather than as a way to insert myself in conversation.

If I'm out with 10 people and I duck out to smoke, typically at most 2-3 people will join me, which is far more comfortable than the full group. And if I'm outside in the first place and can smoke within the group, I can focus on that for a few minutes rather than worry about following what's going on within the group.

Sure, it happens at times that I step out to smoke and end up having a conversation with someone, but I've never smoked as a means of starting a conversation.


Smoking pot is a different story. Nowadays on the rare occasion that I smoke pot I prefer to be alone, but it used to be a very social thing for me.

i started smoking because i wanted to appear tough, so it was a form of social pressure i guess. my friends and i would stand outside and smoke together in high school, and it was definitely a bonding experience. i became a very heavy smoker but quit almost 18 years ago. i miss it every day, and often dream i am smoking.

i told my daughter that someday i want to start again, maybe when she is too old to be influenced by my choices (she is 17), and she admonished me that she will always be influenced by my choices. she also pointed out that if i realllllyyyy still wanted to smoke i'd be doing it already.she has some good points.