Article # 2: Why Do People Start Smoking Cigarettes? (By Chris Kinsey)
Most people know the dangers of smoking. It's a fact that people who smoke generally die younger than nonsmokers. The health risks associated with smoking are even touched upon in schoolchildren's health classes. But even with the power of all the negative information about smoking at their fingertips, many people still choose to smoke cigarettes.
Nine in 10 smokers pick up the habit before the age of 18, according to the website Teens Health. The most common reasons are that it makes them feel more independent, look older and it can serve as a means for rebelling against authority figures. Peer pressure and having friends who smoke have an influence on young people. If a child in a social circle starts experimenting with tobacco, it's all too easy for him or her to lead peers into smoking. Moreover, the American Cancer Society points out that kids whose parents smoke are much more likely to pick up the habit than those with non-smoking parents. Studies have found that parents who react to smoking as a socially acceptable behavior -- even if they don't smoke -- can leave the door open for their children to experiment with tobacco.
It is rare for people to start smoking after the age of 18 – but it happens. One of the main reasons people start smoking is stress. Adults experiencing some certain levels of stress -- in a high-pressure job, for example -- may start to smoke as a way to manage the tension and nerves associated with the situation. Another reason is to self-medicate. For some, smoking is an essential way to self-medicate for illnesses that cause pain. Other people believe it can help relieve some symptoms of mental illnesses.