Smoking and under 18 yrs old?

All the others are right, it's a terrible habit and one you should never start on. I've smoked since I was 13 and I can't seem to stop now. I smoke about five or six cigarettes a day and I'm hoping to keep it at that. Ideally, I'd like to stop, but realistically, I don't think it will happen. It becomes so instinctive to reach for a cigarette when you feel like one.

[uss]

Thanks, guys [img]smile.gif[/img] !
Arledrian, im very sorry that had to happen .
my brother(15 years old), and two of my sisters(17 and 18) smoke tobacco. oh, yesterday, two of my other big brothers friends(that are in university) asked my 15 year old brother "why do you smoke?". he answered "Then i atleast have something to do outside with my friends". what a crock of s**t! i belive he smokes because he wants to remain loyal to his "gang". oh, and also because he is probably addicted.
Though i have no problem with some of my family members smoking, sadly, my smaller sister(11 yrs old) is really mad and freaked out about it.
One question: What about alcohol?

[Neb]

Stay away from alcohol, you can have perfectly good fun without it. And not drinking it doesn't in any way make you less mature than those who do.

[Melusine]

Originally posted by Neb: Stay away from alcohol, you can have perfectly good fun without it. And not drinking it doesn't in any way make you less mature than those who do.

Uh no, in the case of teenagers I would say it makes you more so, even. Some young kids can act pretty pathetically stupid when it comes to drinking.
It's the current scientific belief that one or two units of alcohol, preferably red wine but not necessarily, actually have a beneficial effect on your health.
Alcohol isn't addictive in the same way as cigarettes: I have been drinking sporadically for a number of years (sporadically meaning an occasional glass of wine with my supper or a single malt after it, and never binging on alcohol) and I am not addicted. It works differently with tobacco - I know few people who smoke a cigarette a few times a month and keep this up (the closest approximation would be the cigar/pipe-smoking habits of some: for pleasure, not addiction). Anyway, that being said, once you are addicted to alcohol it is one of the nastiest addictions there are, and VERY hard to overcome. Contrary to cigarettes, being under the influence of alcohol can cause people to be anything from inconsiderate to outright violent, dangerous and abusive. I wouldn't advice any minors to make a habit out of drinking, but if you do, don't binge on it, and do it because you like the taste, in private, with your evening meal or something - not under peer pressure on social occasions.

[ 07-07-2002, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

Excellent post, Sarah. You have some great thoughts and I agree entirely [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Melusine]

Thanks! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Attalus]

I smoked cigarettes for many years, until I asked Galadria to marry me, and she said, "Not unless you quit smoking." Put 'em down and never smoked but one, when my modeling club won a national contest, and one of the members gave everybody cigars. I lit it up and hated it. That's been 3 years now, and I never have regretted it. I feel much better, now.
Oh, and no one has mentioned emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the diseases that are much more frequent than lung cancer. Those are the ones that have you pushing an oxygen cart around. Plus, it wrinkles your face, causing crow's feet and those awful wrinkles around your mouth. We won't even talk about esophageal and mouth cancers. DO NOT START SMOKING TOBACCO, YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!

Anyone who smokes, is immediately unattractive in my books!

There teeth go brown, they absolutely stink, and they'll die younger! I really don't see the attraction!

[Lord of Alcohol]

I smoke (far too much) and its an absolutly stupid habit to have. So uss, take it from a heavy smoker-DONT START! I'm a ****ing idiot for doing so!

Even your Avatar is smoking LoA!!!