We know that smoking is dangerous for health, so why do people still smoke? | Munipalli akshay paul |

Wow, am I ever qualified to answer this question.

People smoke cigarettes because nicotine is remarkably physically and psychologically addictive.

I started smoking cigarettes when I was 17 years old and a young Marine. I did it because… I don't honestly know. Just because everyone else did, I guess.

I didn't even like smoking. It made me cough. It made me dizzy. Sometimes it made me feel nauseated.

But I kept right on doing it because … I don't honestly know why.

Then came the day that I said, “Fuck this, no more Marlboro Reds for me. This is stupid!”

Guess what?

I couldn't quit.

My body rebelled. Every moment of every hour of every day that passed I was consumed with an overwhelming, fierce desire to light a cigarette and fill my lungs with that glorious, glorious smoke.

I itched. I burned. I had to have it.

And then I'd smoke. And then the first few drags would feel great. And then I'd realize that I didn't even like smoking. It was gross. I hated it.

And I could not quit.

I tried over and over. I'd get the shakes. I'd get nervous and angry and tense and fidgety. I’d want a cigarette more than I wanted anything.

And I'd smoke.

I finally quit when I left the military. It helped that my husband detested smoking and pushed me not to do it.

I stopped for ten years. Ten full years. Ten full years of always wanting to smoke. Every single day of my life.

Then he died.

I started smoking again. Smoked for five more years. Same stupid cycle. I hated it, but I couldn't quit.

Finally I did. I haven't picked up a cigarette in over 15 years.

As I type this, however, I'm experiencing a powerful urge to smoke, just thinking about it. That's how addictive nicotine is.

Oh, and also as I type, my father, who will die soon of advanced COPD caused by cigarettes, is sitting across the room from me.

He's smoking.

Because he can't quit.

People smoke because they can't quit.