A real smoking gun of an issue to write about (Smoking in general)

Member Name: bruffyboy

Product:	Smoking in general
Date:	10/04/09 (72 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: relaxing

Disadvantages: so many!

When I was about 18 years ago, struggling with stress on a big level, I had the strange desire to smoke; I say strange because I'd never smoked before, but for some reason I envied the relaxing look of those who wrapped their mouths around the sticks and sucked in, then blew life's problems away.

I felt like a criminal buying a packet in the shop (amazed at how expensive they were too), and armed with a pack of matches I sparked up quite easily outside the shop. When I put the cigarette to my mouth and inhaled I nearly died: oh my gosh, the pain, the awful feeling on my lungs. I coughed and coughed - I just couldn't do it.

After a few more unsuccessful drags, I threw the pack in the bin and never bothered again.
What I can't understand in any way is how people get past that first bit, where the smoke just tears them to pieces.

Smoking has gone up and down in popularity over the years, but as a teacher I am upset to say around 30% of my students admit to smoking (and I expect another 20% at least are too afraid to admit it). If half our young people are smoking, what is the future of this country?

Smoking is now banned in enclosed public areas, and I thank God my kids won't have to put up with what I had to. My experiences range from being burnt as a little kid when someone dropped their ash on me in a pub (accidentally), to coming home stinking of smoke through all of my clothing when I was out with friends.

The health problems caused by smoking are well documented, and I myself suffer from asthma that could well be linked to my mum's smoking through her pregnancy with me (what a bitch!)

Recent studies suggest mobile phones are replacing smoking as a way of being cool amongst teen peers, and I hope that's true. Not only does having a good phone make you cool, it also takes the money you may otherwise be spending on ciggys, or that's the thinking anyway. Of course, the big problem with young people is drinking, something 80% of my students admit to (scary).

All in all, smoking is so bizarre to me - I understand the appeal, but can't understand how people get past that first bit where it hurts to inhale. I also don't understand how people have the cash, with a packet of fags costing an all time high price.

I'm not saying I am perfect - my own vices are food related, but I can't do something that causes me physical pain, and thankfully that's what's kept me away from smoking, nothing else.

Summary: I can't do it