Students may start smoking due to various factors, such as study-related stress, the desire to socialize with other smokers, or the influence of family and social environment.
When you arrive at college, if your friends smoke, you are likely to start smoking too. The peer pressure often pushes students to adopt similar behaviors to avoid feeling different or excluded. You also want to fit in and be accepted, so even if you’re not keen on smoking at first, you sometimes end up giving in just to be part of the group. Tobacco use then becomes a means of social integration, a way to bond and share moments together. It's not easy to say no when you're afraid of being left out or looked down upon by others.
Studies often lead to a lot of stress: repeated exams, pressure to succeed, or fear of getting bad grades. It’s no surprise that some students look for a quick way to unwind. Cigarettes then become a break, a moment of immediate relief in a stressful situation, even if the effect is very temporary. Beyond pure stress, academic anxiety can also push students to smoke, serving as a sort of crutch to cope with persistent worries about their future or abilities. The problem is that over time, this way of managing stress becomes a habit that many find hard to shake off.
Many students smoke for the immediate feeling of well-being that cigarettes provide. Nicotine delivers a quick dose of dopamine, offering a brief puff of pleasure and relaxation that helps unwind after a long day or during a break between two intense classes. This act quickly becomes associated with a nice moment, a quiet pause where one indulges in a small personal reward. Over time, smoking then becomes an automatic reflex, an easy way to "disconnect" for a few minutes, away from the stress of exams or the pace of classes.
In movies, series, and music videos, tobacco is often associated with the cool attitude, the rebel, or the endearing outsider. From their teenage years, students are exposed to these repeated representations, reinforcing the idea that smoking gives a mature, attractive, or popular image. Even the main characters of their favorite series, those with whom they easily identify, can convey a positive or desirable image of smoking. This cultural normalization creates a kind of implicit tolerance, pushing some young people to try it, just to see what all the attraction is about. The integration of tobacco into pop culture and its omnipresence on screens trivialize the practice and facilitate the act for students tempted to imitate their heroes or idols.
Quitting smoking before the age of 30 allows individuals to regain a life expectancy and health nearly equivalent to those of a non-smoker, according to a medical study published by The Lancet.
A study shows that students often overestimate how much their peers smoke; correcting this misconception can reduce overall consumption.
According to recent studies, regular exposure to depictions of smoking in films or on social media significantly increases the risk of young people starting to smoke.
Smoking a cigarette to relax can actually increase anxiety in the long term due to nicotine dependence, which affects the brain.
The cessation of smoking among students can be encouraged through psychological support, non-pharmacological therapeutic methods (such as psychological or behavioral counseling), or pharmacological methods (such as nicotine replacements). Creating a positive, non-judgmental environment and directing individuals towards specialized resources also facilitates the process.
In the short term, tobacco reduces respiratory capacity, can cause frequent coughing and sore throats, diminishes concentration and physical fitness, while increasing anxiety and nicotine dependence.
Electronic cigarettes can sometimes aid in smoking cessation, but they come with their own risks and a potential dependence on nicotine. They are not without side effects and should be used with caution, accompanied by specialized professional support.
The main factors include social pressure, academic stress, the pursuit of pleasure, media influence, and the desire to fit in with a group of friends or peers.
Resisting social pressure involves strengthening self-confidence, identifying and valuing personal beliefs, as well as gradually surrounding oneself with people who share healthier lifestyles or respect your personal choices.
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