My 22 year old also took up smoking a few years ago. This was a boy who wouldn't even stand 20 feet near a person smoking outside! Yet his fathers behaviour and that of his peers had more influence on him than I could...and with alcohol as well. He couldn't stand the smell of beer either...his father's favourite beverage.
He does not smoke or drink anywhere near me as I told him that it makes me sick to think he's smart enuf to know better but CHOSE to partake in something so dangerous. The influence (good and bad) of those close to home is much stronger than that of a musician/movie star etc. I think. He's told me he started because "everyone else he knows was doing it."
And sadly that seems to be the case for a whole generation. This goes for drugs as well. My son and his peers also read a lot about musicians of the past who have musically influenced their favourite musicians....and all the 'sex/drugs/alcohol/rock and roll" escapades they went through....should those passages of historical stories be deleted? Their songs about those topics?
I'm sure that some have been influenced to a degree by celebrities but peer pressure makes kids do things beyond our imagination regardless of the influence otherwise at home.
And I also think he'd find it hypocritical for such whitewashing to be happening.....regardless if he smoked/drank or not.
They are invincible...like we were at that age....thankfully peer pressure was not an issue for me but I saw many a friend fall victim to it and suffer the rest of their lives for bad decisions made because of it.
just my thoughts....
and I hope my son stops one day too - a few a day is still too many....
Char
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