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What Keeps People Smoking?

Numerous studies have shown the health hazards of smoking cigarettes. Smoking can cause lung cancer, among other types of cancer, and can cause harm to a developing child if the mother smokes during pregnancy. Other effects of smoking include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease. Despite this knowledge, many people continue to smoke cigarettes and cigars.

  1. Nicotine Addiction

    • The main reason that smokers have trouble quitting is nicotine. Nicotine is a chemical found in cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products. Nicotine is a physically addictive chemical, meaning that people who attempt to quit smoking often suffer from nicotine cravings, headaches and other withdrawal symptoms, which can make quitting very difficult. Luckily, nicotine patches, gum, inhalers and other products allow smokers to get a nicotine fix without having to smoke. The dosage of nicotine in these quitting aids is gradually lowered to avoid withdrawal symptoms while still breaking the nicotine addiction.

    Stress Relief

    • Many people find that smoking is a stress reliever, allowing them to take a break from their day and relax. The buzz from smoking tobacco can be calming and relaxing as well. Cigarettes and cigarette breaks can be seen as a reward or incentive during the day.

    Physical Habit

    • Many people do not succeed with nicotine replacement therapies since they are not only addicted to the nicotine but also to the habit of smoking itself. Taking smoke breaks, smoking in the morning or evening or smoking with meals can be a hard habit to break. Many people who smoke also use this habit to control an oral fixation. Chewing gum or having hard candy or a toothpick may help to relieve the oral habit of smoking.

    Weight Control

    • Smoking cigarettes is an appetite suppressant. One reason for this is that smoking dulls the senses of taste and smell, meaning that food is less appealing, which usually causes people to eat less. Many smokers are afraid to quit smoking since they fear they will gain weight once the appetite-suppressing effects wear off and the smoker's senses of taste and smell return to normal.

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