Smokers: why do they start--and continue?

Although smoking nauseates beginners, they are encouraged to persevere by various attractions such as its associations with maturity, glamour and friendship, as well as the evident pleasure it offers for those who overcome the body's initial revulsion. Once the pleasure is attained, addiction is the main reason for not stopping, especially when reinforced by easy availability, positive associations and the belief that quitting is terribly difficult. These facts, well known and used by the tobacco industry, also provide the basis for control strategies.