Barbara Walters chats with Forward Syria
Swaying between art and seduction
Discussing monetary policy with the man in charge
Where the earth screams in horror
0 - Issue 38
Smoking: Were our parents right?
by Dima Samra
Everything around us helps to shape who we are and who we become. I believe that we can all agree that our parents are the biggest contributors to our character and personality, some of which is genetic. Our parents are constantly guiding us and pushing us in certain directions whether it’s how to eat, dress, or even live. For some of us the question arises: Were our parents right? Often times the answer is a simple “Yes!” but other times, in this ever changing world we start to doubt it.
We are constantly being told about how bad smoking is for us, and not only by our parents, even the government agrees with the passing of this new law banning smoking in public places. The negative effects seem to be infinite, so why do we do it? Obviously, for different people, there are different reasons.
Many people start smoking because they are insecure. They find their confidence in a cigarette. They are more reserved and even shy at times, but once they start puffing they transform into another person. Another reason why some people start smoking is because of the myth that smoking relieves stress. They feel as though their problems disappear with the appearance of a cigarette. It’s almost as if the cigarette itself solves their problems!
Some people become friends with other smokers, and pick up the habit. They give in to peer pressure, and maybe they feel that they won’t fit in unless they conform. I suppose you might as well smoke with all the sec¬ond hand smoke around you.
Once you’ve started smoking, it’s a tough habit to kick. I’m not speaking from personal experience, rather from medical knowledge. Nicotine is an addictive substance found in cigarettes, withdrawal symptoms vary from irritability to nausea. However these symptoms rarely last over two weeks, which means it must be more than an addiction. I’ve spoken to many smokers and the reasons that I have heard include that it has become a habit that they just can’t seem to avoid. Others felt like it wouldn’t make a difference to them whether or not they smoke, so they just don’t quit. Some feel like life is too stressful, and smoking provides a release that they can’t find anywhere else.
The facts are available to whoever seeks them, smoking kills. A lot of our parents smoke themselves, yet they are against us even trying it. Were our parents right in telling us not to smoke?.
