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Results for 12/19/2005 to 01/06/2006

Last week, Jacques said:

"What's a girl to do?

All of my best friends have recently started smoking. They always smell bad and are getting caught by our teachers. They keep trying to get me to do it. Should I and would I become more cool?"

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589 SmartGirls replied:

4%	For a few weeks, you should just avoid these friends. That will send them the message that you do not like to be pressured and that you do not think smoking is cool. Then if they continue to bug you about it, you should take action.
21%	Smoking is not cool because it's bad for your lungs and can cause cancer! You could get more informed about these issues and sit down with your friends to point out these reasons. Let them know you are choosing not to smoke and why they shouldn't smoke either. Explain to them that you love being friends with them, but this is something you do want to participate in. They may not stop smoking themselves, but because they are your best friends they might stop pressuring you!
15%	That's not cool that your friends are always asking you to smoke. Not everyone smokes, so maybe you should look into an entirely new group of friends who won't do things like pressure you to try cigarettes. It might be hard now, but in the long run you will be better off...
7%	Smoking is defintely bad for your friends' health! They should not be doing it, so you should tell their parents. This way their parents can punish them and they might not want to do it as much.

53% gave other responses. Some SmartGirls said:

Peer pressure. That's what all bad friends give you. Don't be there friends if you don't feel comfortable around them. If you start smoking, you'll regret it later on in life. I think you're making the right decision in asking for advice. You won't become cool by hurting your body physically and emotionally. Just remember that this is a step in life, and a challenge that you are forced to face. If you keep on saying no, they'll eventually leave you alone.
If they were good friends, they would stop pressuring you. Just talk to them and tell them that you aren't into that kind of thing. Smoking won't make you cool, but it will make you smell bad. Don't give in and if they can't accept it...move on.
Don't smoke it's not worth it, save your life by not doing it.
Ok, here is my advice...If you want to go ahead and kill yourself then try it. If you want to live longer...DON'T!!! Don't even think about smoking! Sorry to tell you this but your friends will have a hard time trying to stop and will have some medical problems later on and will die an early death. Just tell your friends the consequences of smoking, what it can do to your body, and why you want to be smoke free. If they are your friends they may stop and they will respect you for it. Remember...if you love your body, you shouldn't start smoking!!!!
Maybe you should just stay away from them when they are smoking, you shouldn't try it if you don't want to and also because you know that you can get in trouble for doing it, especially at school.
Jacques, based on your opinion in smoking (which you think is negative), I think the best thing you should do is talk to your friends and explain to them your opinion in smoking. And for your last question smoking is totally uncool...c'mon think about it, do smart girls smoke?
YOU SHOULD TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO LEAVE YOU ALONE AND THE NEXT TIME YOU WILL TELL THEIR PARENTS.
Trust me, it's a bad habit - just don't do it. Almost everyone who starts gets addicted then wishes they could quit - and can't. As you said, it's smelly and plain stupid.
Don't do it! Smoking is very much hazardous to your health. I used to smoke, until I got caught by not a teacher, but the School Police. It wasn't exactly the best day of my life. Explain to your friends, that you do like hanging out with them but you would prefer not to smoke. Explain your reasoning whether it's health reasons, or personal, and say that you would appreciate it if they respect your decision not to smoke.
Talk to them and ask them why they started and persuade them to stop if they dont tell there parents they have the right to no and if there so petty that they stop talking to you leave them there not worth the pain.
Follow your heart, what do you think is right? If you do not show your heart, your heart won't show you!
Dear Jacques, Look at it this way: If your friends told you to kill your-self so you could be cool would you? Well if your friends are asking you to smoke they are asking you to kill yourself and I know I sound like an adult but it is the truth and if your friends ask you to kill yourself they must not be your real friends! DO NOT SMOKE!!! Here are some facts about cigarettes that you might need to know before making your decision on whether you want to smoke or not:
*Each cigarette contains over 3,000 chemicals
*The smoker inhales 15% of the smoke, and the other 85% goes into the air for the other person to breathe so it's like you are forcing them to smoke 3 cigarettes.
*If you start smoking and decide to quit, from the minute you quit it takes 15 years for your body to get back to normal.
*If you like sports and you smoke you better get used to not being able to play them because it is not easy to play sports when you smoke!!!!!!!!!!
1) DO NOT smoke.
2) Tell YOUR mother or father, teacher, or someone you trust -- not another friend.
3) Tell your friend's parents. If you're a true friend, you will. If you don't, when you see all your friends on their death beds, in jail or something else horrible, your going to wish you would've told someone.
4) Your friends MAY get angry with you, but in the long run, they'll say thank you.
5) Your strong and healthy. Don't ruin it. Your whole life could be destroyed just by some stupid mistake you made when you were 15. Don't fall into the trap.
DO NOT smoke! It is bad for you. If they are making you smoke they are not friends. Try to join a club in your school and you will meet new people. Anyways if your parents find out you will get in trouble. Tell your parents, they will help you they will figure out a solution. SMOKING IS NOT COOL AT ALL! Good Luck.
Unless you want to permanently damage your lungs, cause a horrible addiction, all for five minutes of fame, I suggest that you don't do smoke. You've only got one body, so treat it like is should be treating it. It may bring you popularity for now, but if you become addicted to it, twenty years down the road, you'll probably regret your decision to smoke. Maybe by standing up for what's right now will cause your friends to learn that you stand where you stand and they'll back off. Anyways, good luck. See you later! Emily, 13

Thanks to all of you that gave your advice! Please give your advice for this week's issue.

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