Having a social life is important to teens. It can also have a big impact on the decisions you make. Do the people you hang out with affect your smoking habits? Smoking may seem like a normal thing to do because your friends are doing it, but in reality, most high schoolers don’t smoke. Learn how you can quit smoking and still have a social life.
Cigarettes and Friends
Most teens who smoke usually have friends who smoke. If you want to quit and your friends don’t, it could change some of your relationships. Being ready for those changes—some good, some bad—can help you when you stop using tobacco. Smoking doesn’t define you. Your friends enjoy being with you because of who you are, not because you smoke.
- You and your friends have plenty of things in common besides smoking. It’s helpful to remind yourself of what they are.
- Sometimes people change and friends grow apart. Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself and want you to succeed.
- When you start your smokefree journey, you may want to avoid social situations that make you crave a cigarette. It could be helpful to explain to your friends that you're not avoiding them, but are avoiding situations that might make you want to smoke. Build yours here.
Social Smoking
Social smoking usually occurs at parties or in social situations. Sometimes alcohol is present in these situations, which can affect your judgment. This can cause you to make unhealthy choices, like smoking. You might think social smoking is common, but that fact is 9 out of 10 high schoolers don’t smoke. Also, most high schoolers say they’d rather date a nonsmoker.
