I'm going to have to step in here. I've almost universally noted that the people who complain about smokers tend to be people who don't smoke, and often never have, and who for that reason conclude that there is no rational reason to smoke, and that people only ever start to "fit in" or seem "cool". This is garbage. The first time I smoked a cigarette was out of curiosity; the second time was because I found the first enjoyable. Smoking is relaxing. It's an enjoyable activity, not an arbitrary one. Which isn't to say that it doesn't have a number of severe demerits - health problems, high cost, and, of course, addiction. (And, yes, many people do only start smoking to fit in, as they do other things.) But it is quite possible for something to be bad for you and be enjoyable - as indeed many enjoyable things are.
As usual, generalisations don't serve us well here. :)
I'm reading Gaston Bachelard's Psychoanalysis of Fire right now and it's a really interesting read. It'll make you think of the reasons one smokes in an entirely different light. Your're right. It is about rebellion, for one, but with polyvalent meanings. Rebellion against a young healthy body, proving that one can physically survive harm; and rebellion, psychically, against fire as a fundamental element i.e. holding, consuming, and controlling heat and danger. One takes in smoke with an agreeable face because, I feel, there is a primitive connection to the life of the fire. Nevermind the fact that you smell like shit afterward :)
Well, I'm certain that I can't articulate as well as he could. I'm definitely no Gaston Bachelard, let me tell ya. When dealing with the subconscious, it often seems 'a little far-fetched' frankly. I don't mean to come off as if what I was suggesting is a panacea for all the reasons why people smoke. Just thought it was a different perspective and at least fun to think about. But I will assert my previous sentiment, that concerning humans there is a primitive connection to the life of the fire, and smoke is the son of fire.
It is definitely fun to think about! It's an amazing feeling when you are able to use something you've read to reinterpret the world and I don't mean to take that away from you. The book sounds super interesting and I have reserved it at my library. I think it would be difficult to deny a deep connection to fire as humans.
Exactly. The first two times I smoked were out of curiosity (the first didn't go too well, haha). Now I smoke because my roommates aren't the most social of people. But, when we go to our front porch for a smoke, we talk about what's on our minds. Sure, it's probably not healthy for a relationship to be based on smoke breaks, but I see it as a foot-in-the-door. Another reason I like to smoke is because it gets me outside. I don't live near nature, and it's one of my favorite things. To have and excuse to be outside and just be still is wonderful. Again, I could do this without smoking, but it's very pleasant to see the snow fall counter to the smoke rising.