Since the time of Christopher Columbus, the number of people smoking on the planet has long been calculated in six-digit numbers. Despite the fact that most of them are aware of the perniciousness of this habit, not everyone has the determination to say goodbye to a cigarette once and for all. Why does a person smoke? The answers to this question can be very diverse. Nevertheless, one can try to identify the main reasons why people become addicted to smoking.
Fashion and the desire to look older
To a greater extent, this applies to children and adolescents. The explanation of why a person smokes at such a young age is not very difficult: among peers, a smoker is considered fashionable and cool. In addition, with the help of a pack of cigarettes, teenagers want to emphasize their independence and want to look older among friends.
Stress
High paceevents in life and the inability to cope with the load - this is another answer to the question: "Why do people smoke?". The reasons for each individual, but instead of changing their lives, a person prefers to trust the myth that a cigarette calms and relaxes, and buys his first pack at a tobacconist. In fact, psychologists have managed to conduct a lot of research on this topic, as a result of which it has been proven that the elimination of anxiety is just an effect of self-hypnosis. However, this myth is believed by many to be one of the most common reasons why people start smoking at an older age. Moreover, there is even a list of professions that contribute to the formation of this addiction. Among the first at risk are lawyers, judges and attorneys, as well as law enforcement positions.
The need to belong to a reference group
The desire to spend time in the company and communicate with like-minded people is another reason why a person smokes. We all have herd mentality in our genes. Usually we try to be like everyone else, without standing out too much from our surroundings. If in the company of a non-smoker all the acquaintances often smoke cigarettes, then sooner or later he will also want to try what it is. At first, such people do not take tobacco smoke seriously and consider it pampering, but very little time passes, and they are already afraid to admit to themselves how strong it isaddicted.
Direct and indirect propaganda in mass media
You can't ignore the smoking advertisements that are so often broadcast on radio and television. If during a short video the inscription about the dangers of smoking somehow resists the desire to try to inhale once or twice, then our legislators are not able to prevent the indirect promotion of smoking, which now and then slips in films and songs. Very often in films, the main character or heroine demonstrates how cool and beautiful a smoking cigarette looks in his hand. Is it worth it after that to be surprised and wonder why a person smokes? The answer is obvious.
Social television advertising and educational materials could change the current state of affairs, but so far the efforts of civil society organizations are clearly not enough, and governments in developing countries, unfortunately, prefer to make money on excises, fines and taxes instead of seriously attending to the state of he alth its citizens.
