The question Why do people smoke has been asked for many years. An obvious simple answer would be that people smoke for nicotine. But for many, the situation seems more complex.
It is very well known that smoking is an important cause of many diseases and the purchase price of cigarettes can be very high, so it is reasonable to ask why so many people smoke.
The World Health Organization (WHO) selects “Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women” as the theme for the next World No Tobacco Day, which will take place on 31 May 2010.
Many in the public health community suggest that people only smoke because they are ‘addicted’ to nicotine. Many smokers can find it hard to quit smoking.
The pharmacological effect of nicotine – a mild stimulant effect not unlike that of caffeine, and a mild relaxing effect – is an important part of the smoking experience.
However, there seems to be much more to smoking than just nicotine. Smoking embodies a considerable amount of ritual involving many of the senses. A smoker will often describe pleasure from the feel of a cigarette in the hand, and from the taste, sight and smell of the smoke. Also, especially in social settings, smoking involves a ’sharing’ experience with other smokers.
What people should consider:
*Smoking is a cause of various serious and fatal diseases.
*The health risks in groups vary by the amount smoked, being highest in those that smoke for more years and smoke more cigarettes per day.
*The risks reduce in groups of people who quit smoking, and the reductions increase from quitting earlier.
*Experts advise no smoking during pregnancy.
*The only way to be certain of avoiding the risks of smoking is not to smoke.