Why do people smoke? I mean, seriously. It’s bad for you, so why do it? I have seen more people on the UW campus smoking cigarettes than I have ever seen in my life. Almost everywhere I turn, there’s someone sitting against a tree or walking down a path, puffing away at a cigarette. What gives? I can sort of understand people who were born when smoking wasn’t known to be as bad as it is still smoking, but these are people my age or a couple years older. We learned quite early that smoking is bad. I mean, duh. It’s smoke. You don’t inhale smoke and expect to get away with nothing bad happening to your lungs. And that’s not even going into all the other crap in cigarettes these days. Yes, yes, I know you can get “healthier” cigarettes without as much of the tar and carcinogens, but it’s still a cigarette. It still relies on the principle of burning tobacco and inhaling the smoke. Which is bad, in case you’re not following my argument.
You know, if I really want to find out, I should ask a smoker. Well, provided I can get anywhere near them without choking on the sickening smell of cigarette smoke. It’s a good day when I can get to class without gagging on someone else’s smoke. Okay, it’s not that bad. But I really do hate the smell of cigarette smoke. To me, it’s like walking into a used rest stop bathroom. Yeah, you know what I mean.
Really, there’s no excuse for smoking. Unless you’re stupid. I suppose that’s an excuse. Can’t cure stupid. Anyways, whatever rush it gives you is easily outweighed by the fact that smoking shortens your life expectancy significantly, and looking cool only works before your teeth turn yellow and your breath starts to smell like burnt muffins (or whatever smoker’s breath smells like). Personally, if I see someone standing up against a wall smoking a cigarette, I don’t think they look cool; I think I’m glad I’m not stupid enough to be them. Plus, people can’t use the “I’m so addicted I can’t quit” argument because, plain and simple, it’s bull. Anyone who wants to quit smoking can. Why do you think so many stop smoking products are on the market? I’ll give you a hint: it’s not because they don’t work.
But seriously, some day, I’m going to have to ask someone why they smoke. I really can’t think of any good answer to that question. Considering how bad smoking has been proven to be, actually choosing to get addicted to cigarettes is the same to me as choosing to drill a hole in the palm of your hand. In the end, you just get screwed.
…yes, I know that was a bad pun. I apologize. Sort of. Anyways, now I’m off to enjoy my cancer-free life. Hopefully I won’t get second-hand smoke. Then things might get a little ugly…
