Why Can’t They Quit Smoking?

Over and over again, through different forms of advertising media, quitting smoking is heavily encouraged in most countries around the world. The bad effects of smoking are widely taught to all citizens of many nations and yet, one out of five people all over the world are still cigarette smokers who just can’t quit smoking. What’s there in that little harmless looking cigarette stick that can make a person choose it over the chance for a longer life? The answers are as follows:

1.Nicotine

Nicotine is an addictive substance found in cigarettes. Nicotine is in fact nearly as addictive as the dangerous substances heroin and cocaine. From the cigarette stick, this substance is inhaled and then it passes through the respiratory tract and into the lungs from which it becomes absorbed into the body’s bloodstream. The bloodstream travels throughout the body and so will the nicotine, which will then be absorbed by the body’s cells, especially by the brain cells. From there, the good physical and psychological feelings will start to emerge as the nicotine affects the brain.

The body will also start to feel stimulated and then depressed. The heart rate will increase, the body’s energy will rise and the pleasure center activates. Afterwards, the body will feel exhausted and the feeling of depression comes after. This will make the person want another dose of nicotine so he’ll puff another stick of cigarette and same thing happens. And that explains nicotine addiction in cigarette smoking.

2.It’s in the genes

If many of those who make up a person’s family tree are described to be non-quitter smokers, then there’s a very high chance that that person will also be the same. Studies done by scientists have shown that the genes of smokers who got rid of the smoking habit do not share with those of the ones who didn’t or can’t seem to stop smoking. That means that if a smoker got parents who are non-quitter smokers, his genes won’t be helpful in making him quit smoking. The results of this study may be a long way from being certain when it comes to the relation of the genes to the person’s ability to stop smoking but it’s definitely a step closer to finally determining it.

3.Social advantages of smoking

Many social groups still think that smoking is a cool activity. Moreover, if one gets into a group of smoking people who he thinks is awesome, or maybe important, the situation will push him to smoke also so he’d be a part of that social circle. And as he becomes a part of it already, having to quit smoking might mean slashing himself out of that group.