Smoking

Non-smokers choose not to smoke for a number of reasons. The death of a relative or watching a relative go through smoking-related illness like lung cancer is a powerful motivator to stay away from cigarettes. Being put off by the smell or simply having no interest in smoking is another reason why some people never start smoking to begin with. A desire to be healthy, or a health scare might cause some former smokers to quit. However, because the social norms are changing regarding the image of smokers, many people are now non-smokers because it's the socially acceptable thing to do. Whereas smoking was once considered cool, now non-smoking is considered cool in some social circles. Pressure from friends and family members deters people from smoking. Not being able to smoke in bars and restaurants in most public places will also discourage people from smoking. Finally, some smokers do cut down and possibly quit because of the increasing price of cigarettes in many locations.

Smokers and non-smokers are not different animals. We are all human beings who make some stupid choices in our lives. Some non-smokers have other bad habits like a poor diet whereas some smokers might eat well. Many non-smokers get addicted to other substances like alcohol or drugs. Smokers and non-smokers both occasionally use drugs like caffeine and therefore just because someone doesn't smoke doesn't mean they are totally pure. Both smokers and non-smokers want to enjoy life and even though smokers know their habit is not healthy, both smokers and non-smokers want to avoid getting sick. Many if not most smokers believe that smoking-related diseases happen to other people; and therefore they feel invincible. Ironically some smokers remain disease-free whereas some non-smokers get lung cancer. Regarding the law, both smokers and non-smokers value personal freedoms in general and many non-smokers do not support strict anti-smoking laws. Anti-smoking laws are sometimes bad for local businesses like bars, which have a high number of clientele who smoke.