How do those addicted to cigarettes get started?

[Deja Q]

I tried one the other day. Peee-yeeeeew! YUCK! If it's this disgusting, what draws people back to do MORE of it?!

Note: I am not joking, I am not trying to be inflammatory toward those who like smoking, I am just curious. From initial exposure, there's nothing to like about doing it.

[DODI]

1. I don't think anyone likes them the first time.

I sure didn't and 25 years later -- still smokin' (no I am not proud of that)

[Warpy]

2. Stupid kids wanting to look cool

...while they get a very mild nicotine high. Why did YOU try it?

After 3 days of looking cool and getting high, the high goes away, and they can't quit.

[Deja Q]

5. Excellent question

The experience of it.

As for the addictive effect, you're quite correct. It's sad... peer pressure in a society that pretends to claim that individuality is acceptable...

[Mick Knox]

7. thats how i started.. moons ago... nt

[doni_georgia]

3. Well . . .

The same way people acquire a test for beer, liquor, etc. Ever taste a martini??

[Deja Q]

10. I've tried everything (bar one) that can be considered addictive

I've never done illegal drugs. Won't.

Liquor is naturally tasty and I started to drink it. Fortunately, my lust for faster computer hardware reminded me to change my budget... :D

The only addiction I can't shake is my need for good television shows in my life... that's why 90% of what I watch is British. :-)

[Indiana_Dem]

4. Don't you EVER pick one of those up again!!

For me it was peer pressure and it went well with alcohol in high school!! lol Then it just kept on going.

[jimshoes]

6. Yes, please do not do it again

It is too hard to quit. I recently quit (2 months ago) and I smoked for 30 years. There is nothing good about it and that's the truth.

[Piperay]

8. I tried them in high school

because I wanted to look cool B-) luckily at the time I didn't have much money and decided I would rather spend the limited amount I had on shoes and clothes so I could get myself a boyfriend. :evilgrin:

With that in mind I never smoked more than a couple, which I hated so much I never developed a taste for em. :-)

[BlueStateGirl]

9. I started when I was 12 because all the other kids were doing it.

I didn't really "inhale" for a year or so after I started, I just thought I looked cool.
Eventually I just grew accustomed to having a cig in my hand, and then I figured out how to really smoke.

I quit last year, after 18 years of smoking.

[bigwillq]

11. How I got started

Bored, needed something to do. Peer pressure, a friend smoked, I tried one and liked it, surprisingly. Quit for a b out 2 years than turned 21 went to the bars and started again. like it when I'm drinking. It's a nervous, when you 're bored habit which I am so addicted to.

Wish I could quit-Want to quit. HELP!!!!

[Gildor Inglorion]

15. The patches worked for me..

but it was tough going. Hardest thing I ever did was quitting smoking. But after about six months of withdrawal misery, I suddenly realized one day, "Hey! I feel good! I'd forgotten what it's like." So try the patches, gum, drinking lots of water, eating celery stalks...it's worth the effort, trust me.

[AngryAmish]

12. Many reasons

1. Something to do with my hands.
2. Another buzz.
3. Reason to talk to girls.
4. Way to pass time.

[Karenina]

13. I've no recollection how it started...

Smoked and ate pot before cigs... Prolly started as a "be cool" peer thing while club hopping on 7th Ave So. In my early "hippie" years I'd allowed myself a shot of heroin out of curiosity. Bleech! Hate syringes anyway and never did it again. Upset my tummy (and the lies I was told in school in P.E). Tried cocaine, BLEECH! EXPENSIVE, cheap high, my nose said Heh?, this makes NO SENSE. Did various hallucinogenics until a bad experience with mescaline and 9 cats.

Did a FULL STOP (caffiene, sugar, alcohol included) when pregnant with my first. (Grew pot in the backyard, happy to just cultivate and smell the buds which I gave to friends, no need for me to smoke it). After the second baby I'd do the occasional joint if it was passed under my nose.

Then I moved to the "continent." Everybody smoked and there was no getting away from it. Cousin Detlef rolled the hash in tobacco and WHOOMP, I was hooked again after abstaining for over a decade. Nicotine is the worst. THE WORST.

[MrSlayer]

14. Coolness factor.

The number 1 reason without a doubt.