My life while smoking cigarettes

Tobacco is a $90 billion industry in the United States. Both my parents and I are guilty to contributing to that industry because we smoke cigarettes. My father started smoking back in the day when he was 16. My mother started in her 40s. And I started when I was almost 17, i was a junior in high school.

Growing up, I used to hate the fact my parents smoked, my brother and I would cover our mouths when they would smoke in the car if we were going somewhere. I always told myself that I would not get into smoking because I hated the fact my parents did it. When I got into high school, my junior year especially, I started to feel very rebellious. I figured if my parents did it, I should be able to. I started stealing my parents cigarettes because I was too scared to ask someone to buy me some. I knew that cigarettes had nicotine but I told myself I would never get addicted because I couldn't even buy myself a pack. I eventually really liked the taste and feeling I got while smoking so I decided to start asking my older friends to buy me packs. I probable smoked for a entire year without getting caught. Eventually my voice started to get very raspy and would crack on certain words. My mom eventually was able to put the math together and figure out that I had been smoking. I never told her how long I had been smoking.

I also never told her why I started. I truly believe that I was bound to start smoking cigarettes because my parents did it all the time in front of me and my brother. I was always the child getting in trouble while my brother was a A+ student. I started trying to be by my parents when they smoked so I could smell the smoke that came out of the cigarette. I think that being in the car while they smoked as a kid had a effect on that. Secondhand smoking was very possible while I was around my parents. I think that is what influenced me to start smoking since I was so used to already being around the smell. I used to hate it but because I never got away from it, I started to adapt and kind of like the smell which made me want to try it for myself. That is why now almost 3 years later, I am still smoking. I understand all of the risks, but part of me sees how my parents smoke still so I believe I can still smoke. I also have my personal opinions on smoking but I try to be respectful if I smoke around people who might not like it. I choose not to do it around small children so they do not have the same effect I had.

This is a link for secondhand smoking if you want to learn more and see facts about it http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/tobaccocancer/secondhand-smoke. If you want to try and quit smoking this is a link to a guide that can help you, http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco/guidetoquittingsmoking/guide-to-quitting-smoking-toc.