[Nicholas]

Hi there,

I am currently a non-smoker aged 22, who has come across this site. I have been curious about smoking for some time, and have heared about how you enjoy it.

Do you regret starting, if so why. And if not, do you think I should start?

[barfly]

Originally Posted by Nicholas Hi there, do you think I should start?

Definitely you should start and you should hold the first inhale in as long as possible. Do this with either or any of Newport, KOOL or Salem full flavor brands. Better yet, do it with Djarum Black. Just light it up and take the longest inhale you possibly can and hold it in.

[PiccoloNamek]

If you have to ask yourself "should I start" then the answer is almost certainly no.

If you do decide to start anyway, ask yourself some questions first. "Am I easily affected by chemical substances?" "Do I consider myself to be a person with little willpower?" "Am I likely to become addicted to nicotine?" "Do I need all of my lung capacity, or will I need it in the future?"

If you answer yes to any of these questions, don't start. If you really want to start, don't start with any store-brand cigarettes; almost all of them taste terrible and are full of chemical additives. Start with an additive-free cigarette such as Native, Nat Sherman, or Djarum clove cigarettes. These are much more enjoyable than mainstream cigarettes, and with just a smidgen of self-control, much less likely to get you hooked into a pack a day or more habit.

Also, a word of warning: if you are going to start off with a really hard cigarette like a Djarum Black, do not inhale too deeply, and especially do not hold the inhale; you will probably throw your guts up.

Personally, I do not regret starting. For reasons not quite known to me, I never became hooked on nicotine, nor did I become tolerant, so smoking is only a casual thing for me. I consider myself to be a connoisseur of tobacco, and I love trying different kinds of blends and flavors. Because I am not compelled to smoke I can choose when I want to smoke and enjoy every cigarette to its fullest. (Not saying that full-time smokers don't; of course they can, but let's be honest: most of them probably don't.)

[Max]

Make the decision for yourself man. You aren't going to get addicted from 1 cigarette, so just give it a try and see how you like it. I suggest buying a pack of Blacks.

[barfly]

Originally Posted by Nicholas Hi there, I have been curious about smoking for some time, and have heared about how you enjoy it.

Why be curious? Just try it out. Get a pack of Djarum Black and make sure you hold your first drag in as long as possible. If you don't vommit, you are a born smoker (of clove).

If you want to check out the enjoyment thing, get a pack of Nat Sherman Classic lights (for the first time smoker). Hold your first drag in as long as you can and if you don't cough your brains out, you are a born smoker (of tobacco).

[smokybear]

should you start smoking? If you're 22 and haven't yet, then i would suggest you don't. While i love smoking cigarettes, i think i would rather not know the sweet pleasure of taking that lovely drag after a good meal, or a good shag...LOL And once you start smoking when you're drinking, the two will go hand in hand...so, if you've made it to 22 without trying it, do yourself a favor and don't...just my two cents, but if you do get started, i agree, nat Sherman's are quite tasty.

[cooljay788]

Should you start? That's up to you. I'm not gonna tell you to don't start smoking, because:

1) Any smoker out here who tells someone to don't start smoking is a hypocrite when they smoke themselves.

2) We all die, and we can all die at any given time. So how is smoking a cig gonna get someone "addicted" or make someone "die faster?" Most people hate the first ever cig they smoke.

Don't smoke FSCs...that's the only thing I'll say. If you gonna smoke, smoke REAL cigs with tobacco in them without the cloves.

[barfly]

Definitely make your own mind up and don't start with FSC cigs. Shop around. If you can't find non-fsc cigs, look at cigreviews rated shops and pick one of the native american sites and order some Native brand cigs. Go to your local tobacconist and ask for non-fsc. Search for non fscs and that one retailer in North Carolina that claims to have all non-fsc smokes should come up in your search.

[Chief Smoker]

I dont know why these guys are telling you to hold it in as long as you can. My first cigarettes (age 13) was a benson & hedges 100's ultra light (stolen from my mom) and as soon as I took the first second of a drag I was coughing furiously. I started because I though it was 'cool' and others my age were experimenting too. I don't regret it, If I hadn't started then I would have a couple years later. I do regret the addiction side of it, I'm hooked.

Piccolo said it perfectly, If you have an addictive personality - DONT.

If you're fine with having one cup of coffee or A cocktail, go for it. I'd start by trying a Marlboro Red or Newport. Buy a pack of Camel Crush cigarettes and you'll get to try both reg/menthol in one pack

Nicholas, let us know what you thought of your first cig.

[cooljay788]

I started smoking for real on Newports. And if anyone is interested in starting to smoke AND never quit during his/her life, I'd recommend trying Newports! Once you start on Newports and smoke them for a few days, you'll find it hard to stop smoking that brand. Never mind being addicted to smoking. Most Newport smokers I've met REFUSE to smoke any brand that doesn't say "Newport" on the pack!

I know after I started smoking on Newports, it took me two years before I got into the mood of trying a different cig brand (including another menthol brand). Newports Rock!