It is a NASTY habit to get into, and can cause a lot of problems.

A note to all young people reading this: If you are ever tempted to smoke, don't start. You've got a future ahead to think about -- make the best of it.

You'd think that with all the health awareness around these days people would be more aware of the dangers of smoking than back in the twenties, but still the teenagers carry on...  I'm in my teens myself, but I'm sensible enough to know that there are many better ways by which to look cool than by ruining my health and lungs... like my expertise of Plo Koon. :D
It's sure a 'killer' way to look cool...

They start out thinking it looks cool, then they get addicted.

Again, teens are not all to blame in this, I see more Adults smoking than anything, but yeah, I see the point, teens do it for "coolness", adults do it because it calms their nerves, which do you think is more dumb?

this is so stupid say no to sex smoke and more

smoking is not going to help you in your future it just makes you look ugly or other not cool just help your self and say no to smoking or just change the subject

What's cool about lung cancer, emphysema and chronic bronchitis?

This is sad but very true... it's a trend that doesn't seem to diminish with the newer, supposedly more educated generation. Maybe if they realize and digest the fact that there is far more to lose than to gain when it comes to smoking, that this unhealthy and unatractive habit will be a thing of the past.

An awful lot of people will tell you that they started smoking as a kid or teen because they percieved it as "cool" or "grown up" looking.Of course,we all know that nicotine is HIGHLY addictive (unless we are mentally challanged "ditto heads" who believe the radical departures from reality professed by Limbaugh),and that smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body.

Being a non-smoker,smoking seems useless thing to do. I never understood how exactly smoking promotes you as an individual.

So many people in my school do this to look cool, and all it does is repulse me and make me walk on the other side of the street.

I don't believe as many teens smoke now as in the past. Most of the people I see creating the smog outside the local mall is the GenX age and above. Right now, I believe the "uncool to smoke" adage is on the upswing.

does not look cool at all. Now some of them will be addicted to those awful cancer sticks. an expensive habit to get stuck with .

How many people who smoke first started their addictive habit when they were teenagers. I would say most did so, and I would like to hear any good reasons for smoking besides trying to fit in, impress others, or to defy authority figures.

I don't know what's worse: That teens DO smoke to look "cool" or the fact that, as of now, the RIA crowd thinks that smoking is worse than using drugs

Gives you cancer.

Considering that many people refuse to date smokers, teens should realize that tobacco addiction may mean losing out on romantic choices.

Their thinking "What the hell have I got to loose?" as most teenagers have a care-free attitude and don't start to take care of their bodies until later on in life and by then it might be too late. Its so stupid to start smoking at a young age and even worse when you start as an adult.

I did it for awhile...insecure new kid in a new school, etc...but gave it up after one pack. My reasoning went along the lines of "They know this causes cancer and heart disease, it doesn't get you high, it's expensive, nobody seems to be very impressed...what's the point?"

In the past this habit was really put out there as something cool. When your favorite actors, musicians, and tv persoanlities were shown smoking, you couldnt help but feel that this wasn't so bad. SMoking isnt shown on tv anymore, but movies still have characters looking all mysterious and bad in clouds of smoke.

I was curious about smoking at age 13, but im glad i never started.

A great way to get emphysema when you turn 60.