The publicity has been venomous at times. Smokers are the new pariahs who can be insulted at every turn and yet they continue with their filthy habit. There are various physiological as well as societal factors that are behind these trends. First of all we need to recognize that smoking is addictive. The smoker may want to give up but the pangs will keep coming back until the cravings become unbearable. These are the reasons why people continue to smoke:
1. Addiction: It must be remembered that nicotine is a highly addictive substance. The person gets sucked into the world of smoking until they reach a point of no return where they cannot resist. You might start off with a few cigarettes but then end up with a really strong addiction. It does not really matter to you that the habit is not recommended.
2. Ignorance: Despite the government campaigns to raise awareness, it is still the case that there are very many people that do not understand the full implications of smoking. They think that it is a harmless treat that they can indulge in from time to time. Of course it will take time for the message to get out there.
3. Peer pressure: The presence of peer pressure can make smoking a nightmare for everyone involved. You need to ensure that you can cope with the pressure of smoking. That is easier said than done in most instances as younger people want to be part of the group. The same rules apply to older people.
4. Stress and boredom: Some people use smoking as an outlet for their frustrations. In cases of disease smoking is seen as a way to calm the patient who may be in considerable pain. The people caring for the patient are torn between the welfare of the person and the need to give them some chance at happiness.
5. Cultural traits: Some cultures encourage smoking. For some traditions smoking is a type of worship. It is impossible to separate people from their culture and therefore problems will escalate. The end result is a process that is very challenging in many instances. The culture of the people involved can be very important on different levels.
6. Passive smoking: If you get used to the smoking environment then it is not alien for you to start smoking as well. In the end that can make the difference in the way that you handle the different health situations that you are facing. The issue of passive smoking is very relevant to many people in these circumstances. Children should not be exposed to passive smoking.
7. Advertising: The tobacco companies have been very adept at advertising their wares. Therefore vulnerable people are convinced to start smoking. They use glamorous figures to persuade people that smoking is not harmful.
8. Defiance: Given the crackdown on smoking, some people have decided that they will take a stand. They continue to smoke as if to spite the regulations. They consider smoking to be a personal freedom.