Why do people still smoke despite proven cancer risks and huge costs?

Question

That cigarettes with 70 cancer-causing substances are allowed for sale. In Germany it causes 100 billion € damage to economy EVERY year and 120,000 deaths and millions of people with cancer. It is unbelievable this poison is allowed for sale. You always know a smoker because you can smell it in their house, see it on their walls, on their clothes, and on their breath, and see it on their teeth. Can anyone explain why anyone smokes, although it is less prevalent than in the 50s - 70s, where every actor seemed to smoke and every actor's picture had a cigarette sticking out of their kissers.

Cyfris · Accepted Answer

Imagine this your at your best friends house and your eleven years old in the backyard behind the barn and the neighbours kid comes over. he is 16 and can drive a car and lights one up and offers you one and you say no then his really pretty sister comes over whom you've had a crush on your whole life and steals a puff off of his and winks at you before she runs back to their yard and he asks again are you sure... I folded like tissue paper. Then it was another time in the car with them and then another then at 12 I had a job and could afford my own and became a part of the culture. Always had to pay two smokes for the older kids to buy them for me but then I was 12 hanging out with 19 year olds smoking cigarettes and drinking under the bridge and as horrible as it is to say it did improve my social standing in high school. After that it has been a habbit that to this day has brought me more joy than pain. As for the cost I have likely always been more driven to succeed my whole life at everything I do to be able to afford what everyone else has and to be able to smoke on top of that. I am not saying it is the right call by any means and I wish I had been more stedfast but if you had seen her in that dandilion dress on that sunny day in heaven I was a puddle. I could have been formed into serial killer or something in that moment I think there is no limitation how far i'd have stooped.

Keyboardkat · Accepted Answer

There was one cigarette brand that advertised, "Let's face it. The thing about smoking is flavor!" The humorist Jean Shepherd rephrased this. He said, "Let's face it. The thing about smoking is, you're nervous and you're hooked!" I think he was right.

Then there was my ex-girlfriend (we're talking the mid-1960s here) who was sent far from home to a college in upstate New York. She returned home for Thanksgiving her first year, and she was smoking Marlboros. She had been a nonsmoker when she left. I really didn't like it, although I still loved her. It made her breath stink and her clothes stink! I asked her why, and she said, "I had to be 'in!'" Well, not the most intelligent answer but an honest one. And that's how a lot of younger folks got started. And probably how they still do get started. But not as many as back then, now that there are no more cigarette ads in the media.

RandomGirl42 · Accepted Answer

I think it's mostly the older generation that does it now and it's good to see rates are dropping. https://www.foxnews.com/health/smoking-rate-america-has-plummeted-record-low

I will confess I smoke occasionally if I'm drinking but it is stoopid and not a habit I plan on pursuing.

Kelley1 · Accepted Answer

Short-term, the next month, the risks and costs are negligible and most people only think short-term.

Kaneki05 · Answer

Because they like it? The answer is obvious
And you can try explain to someone why they shouldn't like something but if they do ya know most of the time they aren't going to care, cause that's how liking something works.
You could point out several things that are bad for me but in no shock I won't care cause I like those things and know already. And you'll do the same unless you are some health guru I suppose so you know exactly how this thought pattern works just with another thing that you will rationalize is okay because you like it.

Bricealan · Answer

@nodecision I see my favorite Swedish actress, Noomi Rapace, smoking in every movie she makes. I don't understand the addiction they have for tobacco.

Cancer, Emphysema, etc and what it does to your skin, your breath, your home, your car. It defies reason

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Imagine the 90s, I'm 11yo, my parents are smoking at home, and I like the smell.

I'm stealing my first cigarette from my mom's pack, it will quickly become a habit, 1 cigarette after school, I think it makes me look cool and older. Then it's high school, many peers are smoking daily, even the not so wealthy kids can afford it with pocket money, we're smoking during school break in the courtyard. Smoking is completely normalized.

We know it's bad for our health, we don't give a shit about health because we're young and invincible, we think we'll quit at 30yo.

ohsheeT · Answer

Probably the same reason why they vote for the same politician that has screwed us over screwed them over but not as bad as the other politician would I think it's because in life we are all followers to a point until we get tired of it and then we do research on it and then we understand it fully

But until we do so we just follow and we think we know it all and we know not a damn thing until we do the research until we want that answer the truth that's what makes the world go round that's why everybody has different thoughts different ways even though it's the same way of following just they're following somebody different then the person that we might be following until we just follow ourselves you are one of those people because you do your research sometimes we only research it halfway sometimes we only gain a little bit of knowledge but we still do what we do until we're just fed up with it and we have to know the truth

strateguy632 · Answer

They are "self harming' and choosing deciding to do something that caused a burden on health care (in contrast to catching strep is not a decision ) therefore logic is: the tax paid buying cigarettes should go directly to health care. smokers must buy insurance and pay in more each month, than others, to be fair when they will need the treatments. Sure non smokers get cancer but NOT BY ANY DECISION in contrast to smokers. I don't hate smokers- some of my best friends are smokers! 😉 but fairness!

WindAtMyBack · Answer

Because they like it. And because despite all the warnings out there, they really don't know what they are getting into. Nobody can know what they are getting into until it's too late.

But the bottom line is because they like it. It's enjoyable.

Why do people drink excessively? Why do they get fat? Being fat is worse for your health than smoking, yet people still do it.

lightbulb27 · Answer

This is a major reason I dislike Europe, they smoke heavy. China is worse. I really couldn't stand it to be honest.

Because humans are really simple, and stupid. Dogs don't do this nor cats, they are smarter.

It's an addictive drug that controls their emotional regulation circuitry. They cannot relax and deal with the pain of life without the drug. They are trapped.

AviatorTom · Answer

Smoking is an addiction, difficult to stop. It is good that fewer people than ever start smoking now, although vaping (which has its own list of problems) is becoming more common, especially among teens.

Wodens_Apprentice · Answer

Some people (like me) don't really care about life itself so why would I not indulge in getting blazed? One of the last copes I have left in a world that wants to take all my entertainment away from me & make it all woke.

People are now knowingly ruled over by cannibalistic paedophiles, yet no revolution has occured. Why would anyone want to live in this world?

Account · Answer

Because we are stupid and we make bad decisions, that is why.  Once you are in, it is difficult to stop.

alice55 · Answer

Why do people make bad descision about their health everyday? They re usually impulsive and think the consequence of their act won’t reach them

Paige2006 · Answer

Because they "think" they look cool but they look stupid. By the time they realize this they are addicted to it and can't (won't) stop.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Nicotine is one hell of a kick to the system (especially if you're tired). And also apparently the second most addictive substance after heroin. I saw people struggling to quit.

molonski2 · Answer

Germany in particular is " hanging on " it's an horrendous habit , so hard to quit and it will kill you. I'm with you on it though , I dispise durries.

KimmySchmit · Answer

My husband smokes cigars. I like the smell. When he's away sometimes I will wear one of his shirts and light one.

CherryLove007 · Answer

Here is the simple logic... they have a death wish with their organs and life.

Billlewis · Answer

Because once you start, it's hard as hell to stop. I finally quit about ten years ago, but it took a long time.

Tomislav7 · Answer

Same reason people drink or hookup with strangers, to satisfy their addiction

exitseven · Answer

Everyone thinks it looks cool. It is making a comeback among young people. Its better than vaping.

Razp_Sorbet · Answer

Its addictive and some people just dont have the power in them to stop

DonaldDarko · Answer

Hell, they're using meth. I don't know other than just plain stupidity.

slatyb · Answer

Because nicotine is extremely addicting.

jamesgoldman · Answer

Because it's a rare pleasure* *Should add I'm a BOTL

Staximus · Answer

Huge costs? It costs me like $4 a week, but I only smoke about 4 a day

genericname85 · Answer

I think the very simple answer is: cause these people just aren't very bright.

jahaims · Answer

The same reason why people are fat. They have mental health issues

Jeff51 · Answer

No brains to quit

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

Because of freedom, and they like the way it makes them feel

Jennz6 · Answer

Addiction maybe?

Batsy01010101 · Answer

Because people are dumbasses

Agape93 · Answer

Because it's chemically addictive

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

They are idiots

Xawyx-2 · Answer

Because they are addicts.

noohair · Answer

Nicotine is more addictive that cocaine

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Lots of reasons. I'm a lifelong non-smoker.

Daytoday79 · Answer

It's an addiction like any other.

fish5505_87 · Answer

No Clue?

Randomguy28 · Answer

Hi 🥰

Amur8711 · Answer

It beats me 🤷🏻‍♂️

Why do people still smoke despite proven cancer risks and huge costs?

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Why do people smoke even though they know it's dangers and consequences?

Why do people still smoke despite proven cancer risks and huge costs?

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What Girls & Guys Said

Why do people smoke even though they know it's dangers and consequences?

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