I have never smoked. My whole family was/is smokers, but not me. I just never felt the need.

As to a benefit, well, when you're smoking under age, it makes you look "cool". To my mind, it makes you look stupid, but then it's a free world.

If you have a money purchase pension scheme its better to be a smoker (or claimyou are a smoker) as the pension will be higher, as they expect you to pop of this mortial coil quicker.

I've had a couple of cigarettes in the last couple of months. I was very drunk though, and to be honest, they still don't taste good even when I'm insensible.
There must be something in it, somewhere, as the brain has specific nicotinic receptors. I do wonder why sometimes.

Personal sexuality issues?

Mark

I’ve passive smoked at home and at work in the past - and my dad walked around like a west Midlands industrial city for a long time, so my lungs are probably buggered without me ever lighting up myself.

I stopped smoking when I was 12 years old.

Mark

Yes, I can certainly understand claiming to be a smoker in that sense

My Mister is a smoker, he was an "occasional" smoker when we met, but has become more regular since... draw your own conclusions

I smoke the occasional (once every couple of months) cigarillos, I don't inhale (except by accident) I really just like the smell. My grandfather used to sneak out with me for walks in the woods near their house to give him an excuse to smoke cigarillos without my grandmother finding out, it was one of the favourite parts of my younger life so smoking them evokes a lot of good memories and feelings.

My parents both smoked for the first part of my life, my mother gave up first but my dad still smoked sometimes until he decided he wanted a new chainsaw and mum told him he could have one if he quit. So he did and owns a lovely shiny red chainsaw.

I think people start and stop smoking for lots of different reasons, I also think that as adults people should be able to make their own choice about whether they do or not. I think smoking (like weight loss) is one of those things you can't force upon someone, they won't quit until (or if) they're ready and want to.

I had been smoke free for 4 years by that age!

He only smokes after sex?

im very strong minded

Hey, that's a coincidence, as I started when I was 8.

Mark

Heh, nope, usually then he sleeps

He just smokes more frequently now, although I suspect it's job/habit related rather than having me as a girlf ..... I hope

There's absolutely nothing wrong with smoking; everyone should have the right to poison themselves if they wish too. Plus by the time they get serious health issues, they've probably paid enough in taxes to cover the treatment anyway

I'm a former smoker who enjoys the taste of tobacco, plus when you haven't had a ciggy in months they have about ten times the potency when you do smoke one! So far this year I'm still on the pack of ten I bought on New Year's eve, so that's not bad going.

I gave up because although I like ciggys, I wanted to be in charge of them not them in charge of me. I never smoke indoors, and only when I've also only with a drink.

Making smoking into more of an issue than it needs to be is the big problem. We spend all our efforts on drilling into people that it's an evil, nasty drug that has to be banned/wiped out. I think this makes it even more difficult for smokers to give up. Make it less of an issue and people would just want to smoke less.

My 3 tips if you do want to give up, or at least move to the level of "social smoker":

1) A nicotine replacement does work, if you treat it properly. I used gum, and only when I was truly desperate for some respite from the craving. Having something on hand to give you just 5 minutes break a day.....and not a ciggy.....helps more than anything.

2) You have to want to give up for yourself, not anyone else. Saying "I'm giving up for my kids" won't help when they're in bed at 11 o'clock at night, and you're on your own gasping for a fag.

3) Don't turn giving up into a big issue! Making it into some all-important crusade just makes you want a ciggy more. Realise that they are nothing more than a little stick you suck on for a few minutes every day helps to overcome the central role that you think they have in your life.

Yes but I realised very quickly that smoking was a bad thing (about 30 seconds).