11421406 English for Humanities and Social SciencesQuiz 5: Synthesizing (5%)Article # 1: Why People Smoke (by Marjorie Jacobs) Most people start smoking when they are in their teens and are addicted by the time they reach adulthood. Some have tried to quit but have returned to cigarettes because smoking is such a strong addiction. It is a habit that is very difficult to break. The reasons why young people smoke are to look mature, to be like their friends, and to be excited. Since teens see older people all around them smoking, especially their parents and relatives, they smoke to act older. Moreover, if their friends or peers smoke, they may feel pressured into doing the same to be accepted. The last reason is the excitement of experimenting with something that is not allowed by their parents. Therefore, smoking becomes very attractive among many teens and they feel excited. It is excited to get cigarettesand sneak away to smoke without being caught. For adults, they smoke for other reasons. They may have a lot of stress and pressures because of economic and personal problems. They may be unemployed or working but not making enough money to take care of themselves and their families. They may be homeless, or they may be dealing with alcohol or heroin addictions. Some may be in bad marriages or relationships in which there is physical and/or verbal abuse. All these people may smoke to feel relaxed or to give them energy while going through a hard time. Also, some people smoke to control their weight. Smokers, on the average, weigh seven pounds less than non-smokers. This may be because smoking reduces a person's appetite. It lessens his/her sense oftaste and smell. This could be why ex-smokers gain weight after quitting cigarettes. Finally, there are people who say they love to smoke as smoking gives them pleasure. It just makes them feel good.