(an explanation of why we do it, even though we know we probably shouldn't)

Maybe it's a love-hate relationship! Would most of us do it again -- good question.

The ritual that we all know so well.

So why do so many of us continue smoking when most of us are intelligent, well-informed, and certainly aware of the long term risks of smoking? Perhaps leading the multitude of answers is because it feels good to smoke. I can vouch for that; darn good! In less than ten seconds upon the first inhalation, nicotine passes into the bloodstream, crosses the blood brain barrier and begins acting on the brain cells. The nicotine just ingested will begin to mimic one of the most important neurotransmitters, Acelytcholine. This action provokes the body's excitation chemicals that include Adrenaline and Noradrenaline, which causes an immediate rush of stimulation by increasing the blood flow to the brain. This leaves smokers feels energized and alert. Within 20 to 30 minutes after the last cigarette, however, a smoker's energy level becomes sharply reduced. That "charged up" feeling the smoker had minutes before begins fading away and the craving for nicotine quickly returns. Psychological dependence is a major factor that can prohibit a well-intentioned person from quitting smoking because nicotine has such amazingly powerful, reinforcing qualities.

smoking woman's constant companion

Nicotine is the key ingredient in cigarettes that keeps us hooked, but it's just the tip of the iceberg. Another key additive are the ammonia compounds, which are added during the manufacturing process in order to mask the harshness of tobacco, or so we are told. Because it creates a smoother feeling when we inhale. But they also create a chemical reaction with nicotine, creating free-based nicotine. Free-based nicotine is delivered to the brain at a much faster rate than normal nicotine, resulting in a more immediate and more intense reaction, which intensifies the addiction.

the cigarette succubus is quite powerful

Big tobacco also  adds sugars into cigarettes to make them taste better, removing the bitter flavor of cigarette smoke. Adding sugar also reduces the pH of cigarette smoke, which makes the smoke less harsh and less irritating and makes smoking more appealing, especially to those who are new to smoking. However, when these added sugars burn after one light up a cigarette, they create additional toxic compounds called aldehydes, which increase the potency of nicotine, making cigarettes more addictive, because the brain is more receptive to nicotine, so it absorbs nicotine at a much faster rate.

this young lady loves her long menthol Mistys

Menthol is another biggie. It's added to some cigarettes to give a cooling sensation when a smoker inhales. Since menthol makes cigarette smoke feel less irritating in the throat, it's logically believed that big tobacco uses this additive to attract younger people to pick up the habit.  Now that our nieces have picked up the habit, all 12 of us in our combined families are smokers. My daughter is the sole menthol smoker. As a Newport 100's smoker (a very strong brand), she is obviously the most hooked of all of us.

smoking daugher, disapproving mother

Levulnic acid is another additive, an organic salt that also masks the harsh quality of smoking, and prevents the smoker's throat from feeling irritated while smoking. It desensitizes the upper respiratory tract, allowing cigarette smoke to be inhaled more deeply. It also makes the brain more receptive to  nicotine, increasing addiction.

Smokers and their cigarettes are inseparable.

Other reasons why many of us continue to smoke is that we find it easier to manage stress even though we know that smoking is risky and dangerous. Many of us in this day and age juggle family and work responsibilities, and lighting up a cigarette is a welcome substitute to wind down their day regardless of the repercussions involved. Many more of us, myself included, find that smoking helps to keep off those unwanted pounds, and there may be some truth to that notion. Nicotine speeds up the physiological functions, especially the rate at which the body metabolizes food. When smoking stops, metabolism slows down, food is burned more slowly, and the pounds start adding. That reason alone is strong incentive for many of us to continue smoking.

This lady loves her cigarettes!

My smoking career began when I was in the womb; my mother was (and is) a non-repentant and full-time smoker. Which was followed by 12 years as a second-hand smoker, until I started smoking my own. I asked my mother, when I was 8, why she smoked. Her reply was that smoking was something many adults choose to do, and there's nothing wrong with it. With that, I just knew I too would be a smoker one day. That day came when I was 12, on my birthday, when I asked my mother if I could try it. She obliged, and that first cigarette agreed with me immediately. She would also be an excellent coach. Except for two days during my first pregnancy, when I futilely tried to quit, I haven't had a smoke-free day since then. I am certainly aware of the health risks of smoking. Nevertheless, I accept those risks, as I am not ready to quit. I’ll even admit that I’m an addict -- using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence on Cigarettes, I score an 8 (on a scale of 1 to 10). Which means, if and when I do decide to quit, I'll probably need professional help.