One who lights up a cigarette or cigar to enjoy the pleasure of nicotine inhalation can be called a smoker. He or she is generally addicted to smoking and cannot do without a fag or two. Smoking provides him or her relief from the stresses and strains of life. Inhaling and exhaling the smoke eases the tension.
A smoker generally refuses to give up his or her habit. The increase in prices of cigarette or cigars does not deter a smoker from smoking. He or she is willing to pay more as long as the cigarette is available.
Smokers are exposed to lung cancer, heart diseases and stroke on account of inhaling nicotine. In fact non —smokers are also exposed to secondhand smoke on account of smokers. Even they face health risks.
Campaigns are held to help smokers quit smoking. There are anti-smoking groups, which do not favor smoking at all. In fact, public smoking is banned in some countries, and even in workplaces, smoking is restricted to a particular room or area.
The problem of teenage smoking has been of much concern to many parents. Many have favored that the age limit for smokers should be increased to 21 years, so that young people do not have to cope up with the side-effects of smoking at an early age.
Even pregnant women smoke. Many children are born with physical and mental deformities. Awareness has been created about the pitfalls of smoking while one is pregnant.
Cigarette companies advertise that smoking is injurious to health. Yet, the cigarette industry is a booming industry and fetches plenty of revenue. Obviously, these companies would not like to lose out on their smokers.
A smoker is a smoker after all. He prefers to be that way. Some, of course, think otherwise and decide to quit the habit. But it is difficult. Quitting smoking requires a lot of will power and determination. Some manage to give up, but get back to it.
