Why do you think many young people turn to smoking?

Most people who smoke enjoy smoking. They are all convinced that smoking has a lot of benefits. It gives them a moment of pleasure and peace in a world full of trouble and stress. For many it's simply force of habit. They also regard smoking as a useful form of relaxation which is especially enjoyable after a meal, with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee.

Unfortunately also many young people in Poland smoke cigarettes. They think that smoking in social situation gives them more mature and interesting look. They even claim that thanks to cigarettes they do not feel shy and their social contacts are made easier and some smokers treat this habit as an aid to slimming by sugstituting cigarettes for food.

However, it is not possible to smoke and enjoy it without danger. Young people do not often realize that cigarettes are the main cause of many serious diseses such as lung cancer which kills hundreds of thousands of people every year.

English: Smoking any tobacco product, %, Females

English: Smoking any tobacco product, %, Males

Smoking lung cancer

Smoking also increases the risk of heart disease and people who smoke are more likely to die of a heart attack. Still, many smokers are of the opinion that cigarettes are good for their nerves, stimulating, relaxing and therefore they are not ready to give up the habit. They claim that they do not smoke much and, besides, they feel perfectly well.

The reason why the smoking habit is so hard to cure is that it doesn't seem dangerous and the damage to the smoker's body and mind appears slowly, imperceptibly. Some chain-smokers, however, sometimes get enough of their "cigarette hangovers", the aftertaste and constant agitation. They try to kick the habit.

However, it is never too late to stop smoking. The risk of illness and dying from the results...