I think I must be incredibly lucky, because smoking just never appeared on my radar as a kid. Wasn't interested, no-one in my family smoked (other than my granddad, who smoked a pipe), none of my friends smoked or wanted to smoke - it was a non-issue.
I could never understand this one. I mean, I sort of understand the rebelious teenager thing, but otherwise, why do something that is just plain icky? Are there actually children out there who haven't smoked but who actually *like* the effects and smells of cigarette smoke?
I'm sure you all remember back to the days when you were fifteen, always being told, "don't start smoking
Nope, I honestly can't remember my parents ever telling me not to. I just didn't. I must have been an awfully boring child.
Nope, didn't have any of that, either.
All of which leads me to the conclusion (as a non-smoker) that the less people, particularly children, are exposed to smoking, the less likely they are to take it up. Rebelious teenagers aside, alas.
Responding to Pam's point - yes, I totally uphold the right of anyone to make their own life choices, so long as they don't adversely affect anyone else. Unfortunately, smoking, unless done in splendid isolation with a lot of open space all around you, does adversely affect others.
Anyway, the reason I did this poll was because it seemed to me that there's been a significant social shift away from smoking, and it seems to be accelerating. I wondered whether that was just my wishful thinking or a reality. Incidentally, I think the poll would have different results if our membership was more Euro-centric. My experience is that smoking is more prevalent over there than it is in Britain and the USA.
Yvonne
