Throughout culture, cigarette smoking has almost always been present no matter what time period. Now at days, we see it everywhere; street corners, under bridges, houses, etc. One thing that I absolutely can not for the life of me process is why people poison themselves? What can smoking really do for you that is good? Sure, you're metabolism is fastened, but look at the long term effects; possible lung and throat cancer, deep, unattractive smoker's voice, early wrinkles, trouble breathing (which can result in asthma), dependency, possible lead in to other more dangerous drugs, and death. Do people who smoke truly know these life-long effects? Are they aware that when they pop in a cancer stick in their eager mouths and flick the zippo to ignite the flame, that they are singing a lease to arsenic to scurry through their bodies?
One issue that I would like to clear up before I go any further is that yes, I am Straight Edge. For those who don't know what Straight Edge is, it is an individual who refrains from drinking, smoking, doing drugs, and have promiscuous sex. I am not a person who will try to cram this down anybody's throat. I am open to people I meet; if they smoke, I don't like it but I ask they respect my boundaries and beliefs. Although, sometimes that can be just too much to ask of people who are "addicted" to nicotine. When you first light up that first cig, what goes through your mind? Thoughts of regret, nervousness, excitement, pressure? What is the real reason kids decide to light up? The first reason is to fit in with a social group. This happens more around younger, gullible, kids, and is the more likely way of a kid becoming hooked onto this dangerous habit. Although, it has been proven that anybody under the age of 20 will have a much EASIER time quitting their smoking "addiction" than a 21 year old would. At young ages, our bodies are still developing and is strong enough to overcome and fight off whatever is thrown at us. Say if someone was trying to lose weight; a young, teen can quickly shed 10lbs. in a months time, or even less, than a 30 year old who can take a month to two to shed those first 10lbs! Really, all this is is self-control. When a person says that they want to quit, then QUIT. If you're only saying it to get attention then that's just damn sad and pathetic. Smoking is hard to quit, I don't know personally, but I do know that the body is physically dependent on it like a person addicted to drugs. Honestly, Marijuana, as much against it being used recreationally as I am, is a much safer drugs than cigarettes. And yes, marijuana is safer than cigarettes, believe that fact. It is a natural grown plant and does not have any added rat poisons or any other toxins at all (unless someone has laced it with another type of drug).
If you know someone that wants to quit their "addiction" and they are under the age of 20, then help them the best that you can. Keep them away from their enablers and make sure there is no way of them getting their "drug". These are things the smoker will lack because of how they feel when they take a drag. However, if this person has said numerous times that they do want to quit but never do and give up shortly after declaring, then it is not worth your time and energy. If smoking is what they want, allow them to do it. Be civil, be understanding. If it gets to a certain point where it's an math equation of:
Smoking _ friendship (>, <)
And it is becoming to the point of irritating and hurtful to you're friendship, it may be best if you, yourself end it. The smoker will not want this to happen, but they can't always have the best of both worlds. They aren't Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, so it's one or the other. If it's obvious that smoking is more important than the friendship you two hold, then move on and find better people who will respect your beliefs, be a TRUE friend, not a friend that is only there when it's convenient for you, and who will also choose friendship over drugs.
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