Why do teenagers start smoking
They are young, beautiful, handsome, strong, fearless, but most of all, in their mind, they're invulnerable to accidents and illnesses. Most of them believe "it can't happen to me." Their mind has a short term perspective at this age. Old age is so far off in the future that no health threat feels real to them.
It's not their fault that they think this way. It's actually normal. Their brain is still developing; they don't have an "adult mind" yet, they have a "teenage mind". The main difference between the two is that the teenage brain or mind reacts, whereas the adult brain or mind asks and considers options. The teenage mind tends to be very reactive and extremely non-rational. The adult mind doesn't just react; it thinks, asks questions, looks at options and makes conscious choices.
If you were to look at a graph that shows when most smokers start smoking, you might be surprised to see that nearly everyone who starts smoking starts between ages 13 through 18. A few start as early as age 11 and another few start between ages 18 and 22, but hardly anyone starts smoking after the age 22 or 23! Seemingly, no adult in his right adult mind ever makes the decision to smoke after this age. Why is that? Because of the way the mind matures and thinks and because adults are better equipped to mentally cope with pressure. And if an adult does start smoking after 23, he does so because he is still using his teenage mind.
Here's another important question: If no adult using his adult brain would ever start smoking, why then do you see millions of adults smoking everywhere you go?
The reason is simple: Every adult smoker started smoking as a teenager (or before the age of 23 anyway) because of a juvenile decision made by a teenage brain. And once he starts - surprise!! - addiction takes over. Once you're addicted, it's impossible to stop. And that's the only reason you see adult smokers. No one in his right mind would smoke if he didn't have to. But cigarettes are highly addictive so adults have to smoke.
Many adult smokers will admit that every time they smoke they think back and wish they never started. And every adult smoker will agree that a person who doesn't smoke shouldn't start.
Those adults who do quit, do so through extreme effort. But even then they are constantly fighting to stay that way for the rest of their lives.
So why do teens smoke? There are many factors that influence a teenage mind to try to smoke. The most common, however, are these:
- The power of role models. Teens are most influenced by other kids close in age or slightly older, including siblings. Therefore, a person whose best friends or older siblings smoke is much more likely to try smoking. In some cases, this is because the person looks up to his friends or family members and wants to be like them.
- The need for social acceptance and peer pressure. Teens often seek approval and acceptance from their peers. A strong motivator to start smoking is a feeling of being left out, so teens start to smoke just to fit in with the crowd. Often they feel encouraged and pressured or even teased and taunted into smoking. Teens also want to fit in with peer groups they admire-the "cool" kids-and many of them will do what "cool" kids do. Some teens believe that smoking makes them more popular, "cool", attractive, sexy or rugged.
- To reduce stress. Teens are anxious about their appearance, their feelings, and their roles. They also must continuously deal with their emerging sexuality, independence and personal values. All this uncertainty and vulnerability, as well as the attempts of establishing their own independent identities generate complex emotional, physical and psychological turbulence in their day to day lives. Presence or absence of adequate, non-drug ways of coping with various mood issues (feeling tense, sad, angry, bored, etc.) increases the inclination to use tobacco to change their mood. Many teens report they smoke because it makes them feel better when they're under stress; when they're tense, angry or anxious.
- Rebellion and the pursuit of independence. Many teens use tobacco to rebel against society and its conventions. Others smoke to defy their parents and their wishes. The more adults in position of authority (such as parents, teachers, doctors, scientists) condemn cigarettes, the more attractive they become to certain teenagers who tend to defy authority.
- The attraction to risk and sense of invulnerability. Teens are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors and do forbidden things than other age groups. Because they typically feel strong, fearless, and invulnerable to accidents and illnesses, they often feel that nothing bad will happen to them. The belief that a few cigarettes can't hurt, coupled with the conviction of not being addicted, makes them disregard the long-term effects of smoking and makes them think they could quit at any time.
- Curiosity. It's not uncommon for teens to try smoking just out of curiosity. "Wanted to know what it feels like" is often stated as a reason for trying to smoke a cigarette.
Are all teens equally vulnerable to falling for cigarettes? The answer is no. Some are more likely to succumb to smoking temptation than others. (After all, when you look at the worldwide statistics from the other point of view, 4 out 5 teenagers DON'T smoke!) But whether they choose to smoke for social, emotional or physical benefits (the energy boost, for example), a few common traits that put them at a higher risk for doing it are:
- Low self-esteem, and consequently more vulnerability to peer pressure (can't refuse the offer of a cigarette)
- Low academic accomplishment
- Few or no goals for the future
- Low socioeconomic status
The Have I Got A Problem website is a free online resource to help people better understand any issues or concerns they may have about mental health or addiction. The website includes resources specifically focused to; general Mental Health, Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Insecurities, Self-harm Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anger Management, Eating Disorders, Coping, general Addiction, Alcohol, Smoking, Gambling, Drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana (Cannabis) Ecstasy, PCP, Mephedrone, Ketamine & Crystal Meth.
The site was created to give the public information to help them understand mental health and addiction issues and to assist people in making better informed decisions about their life and personal choices.
www.haveigotaproblem.com was created and is run by 'Advising Communities’, which is a UK registered charity (Charity No. 1061055)
Downloads
- What is a Smoking Addiction
- Why is Smoking Addictive
- How Smoking Affects the Body
- Benefits of Giving Up Smoking
- Help With Giving Up Smoking
- How Passive Smoking Hurts
- Smoking and Pregnancy
- Effects of Smoking
- Genetic differences help explain cigarette addiction
- Getting the best treatment for smoking addiction
Quotes
Tips & Hints
Write a list of the reasons why you want to stop
Keep the list with you and refer to it when tempted to light up. By write down the reasons why smoking is so harmful, the benefits of s...MoreSet a date for stopping, and stop completely
Some people prefer the idea of cutting down gradually. However, research has shown that if you smoke fewer cigarettes than usual, you a...MoreTell everyone that you are giving up smoking
Friends and family often give support and may help you. Smoking by others in the household makes giving up harder. If appropriate, try ...MoreDon't despair if you fail
Examine the reasons why you felt it was more difficult at that particular time. It will make you stronger next time. On average, people...MoreAnticipate when you are most likely to want to smoke
In particular, drinking alcohol is often associated with failing in an attempt to stop smoking. You should consider not drinking much a...More More Tips & Hints
