A “social smoker” is basically defined as being someone who doesn’t smoke every day. A social smoker may smoke a few cigarettes on night, then not smoke for days or weeks afterwards. This belief that social smoking is somehow safer than being a regular smoker is a dangerous perception among our youth. Teenagers think that a few cigarettes are harmless as long as they don’t smoke cigarettes every single day. Let’s talk about social smoking and how even an occasional cigarette can be damaging to your health and future.
Reasons Why People Smoke Socially
If you don’t consider yourself to be a “regular smoker,” then why even smoke at all? Here are some reasons why some people may decide to indulge in the occasional cigarette.
· They believe that if they only smoke occasionally, they won’t become addicted.
· They believe that the health risks involved with smoking only applies to “regular smokers.”
· They give into peer pressure and want to fit in with the rest of the crowd.
· Drinking alcohol produces an urge for some people to smoke, so they choose to limit themselves to smoking cigarettes only when they drink alcohol.
It’s time for social smokers to get the reality check that they need. Smoking, regardless of how often, is dangerous to your health. Let’s talk about the reality behind each of these reasons for social smoking.
Social Smoking Isn’t Addictive
This couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, those that participate in social smoking are highly likely to become addicted. Nicotine is one of the most highly addictive drugs of our society. You may think that you have control over your cigarette habit, but it is only a matter of time before you lose all control and buying cigarettes becomes a routine part of your day. When that day comes, you will regret the day that you ever picked up your first cigarette.
Social Smoking is Harmless to Your Health
Even if you are smoking “every now and then” you are still subject to physical consequences.
· You are still exposed to the chemicals such as arsenic, lead and mercury.
· It only takes one cigarette to experience a spike in blood pressure.
· Simply being exposed to 30 minutes of secondhand smoke can cause heart damage similar to that of an everyday smoker.
· Social smoking puts you just as much at risk of developing lung and/or other cancers as daily smoking.
Social Smoking is Cool – Everyone is Doing It
This perception is very common among teenagers and young adults and is sometimes hard to argue with when it is so common among our youth. The best way to argue this point is to explain some of the reasons why smoking is NOT COOL.
· Is it cool to have yellow teeth?
· Is it cool for people to avoid you because your clothes reek of cigarette smoke?
· Is it cool for the inside of your mouth to smell like an ashtray?
· Is it cool to hack up phlegm on a first date to the movies?
My advice is this: Talk to your friends who DON’T smoke – chances are, they can tell you how UNCOOL smoking really is.
I Only Smoke When I Drink
This is a way for social smokers to convince themselves that they aren’t addicted, but the reality of it is – if you crave a cigarette for ANY reason, you are indeed addicted. It’s as simple as that.
It’s time for the social smokers of the world to face reality – you are putting your life at risk with each cigarette that you smoke, regardless of how often it occurs. Start today and let your last cigarette be just that – YOUR LAST CIGARETTE.
The Walton County Prevention Coalition is dedicated to fighting against substance abuse issues in our youth. Smoking tobacco is a huge pressure for teenagers and young adults in today’s society. It is important for us to start educating our kids at a young age regarding the dangers of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Learn more about our organization.