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Briana Diaz December 5, 2008

St.Luke English H



Smoking. Some argue it’s the best thing since beer. Others say it’s the little devil tearing your lungs apart. Which one is it? I for one am against smoking and promise never to do it. I asked random people what their view was on smoking.

These were the most common answers I received, “smoking is a stimulant, so it can keep you up,” “momentary stress relief.” A stress reliever was the winner. Some people claimed it calms their minds so they could think better. “Lets us run away from our problems instead of dealing with them like a decent person.” An escape from society.

Many girls said it was a substitute for eating. When I asked why they wouldn’t quit they said "why would I do something like that. I’d get fat.” When I said it ruins their lungs they said they were worried about that but smoking helped them in many other areas that they didn’t “care enough to quit.”

At this a few of my friends and myself argued with them that talking it out and maintaining your health was more important. They said no one bothers to listen. We also stated if the person who is smoking develops lung cancer the insurance company pays for it which comes from our money too. When I told them that they just said they wouldn’t smoke as often. We failed at trying to help them to understand how smoking is bad for your health.

Smoking is a waste of your life and money, but I also agreed that it is their choice. They said they mostly started when they were fifteen and were having problems. Teens and adults smoke mostly when they have relationship trouble,stress at their jobs and school,peer pressure, and low self-esteem. T.V. ads, t.v. shows and magazines help influence the decision.After-effects of smoking can include lung cancer, yellow nails and teeth, harsh breathing, and raspy vocal chords.Troubled teens are the most likely to run into the clutches of the black smoke.