Do people really want an early grave?

As a non-smoker who has never even tried a cigarette I can't understand why people do it. (Cue all the smokers giving me reasons!) I understand that nicotine can reduce stress and kids just do it to copy their friends but otherwise it baffles me.

I welcomed the smoking ban. There's nothing worse than sitting or standing in a haze of smoke all night, then the next morning all your clothes and hair stink of smoke. Bars and clubs don't seem to have lost that much trade because I believe there are less smokers in the younger generation. However I do feel sorry for the more traditional pubs who are losing out.

My parents were both smokers on and off for a long time. My mum developed asthma as a result and my dad had a minor stroke (this was not just down to smoking but it was a factor). Since then my dad has quit but has one very occasionally if he's stressed. My mum started up again last year - but this was only when she went to the pub on a weekend. I'm happy to say she's quit again and hasn't had one for 3 months. My 76 year old granfather also stopped after 60 years of smoking!!

It proves that smoking seriously harms your health but some people just don't seem to care!
The netdoctor website (http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/) states: "
Scientists have identified an area of the genome that contains genes which increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers."
This is one of many links that scientists have made to smoking and cancer. It's not just lung cancer. Throat cancer can also develop as a result of heavy smoking. Peter Jackson, ex manager of my football team Huddersfield Town, revealed earlier this year that he has throat cancer. I used to interview him and rarely saw him without a cig in his hand. Luckily the survival rate for throat cancer sufferers is above 90% and I wish him all the best with his recovery.

Now I might sound like a hypocrite here. I'm not the healthiest person around and I do drink alcohol. Booze is one of the biggest killers in the UK and it can be easy to become addicted. I wouldn't let myself get like that but I do enjoy a drink when out socialising. So am I as bad as the smokers? They say drinking is OK in moderation, like most other things. However being a student "moderation" is never really considered! Me and some of my friends would fall under the 'binge drinking' category because we usually go out 1-2 nights during the week and then again at the weekend, all the while drinking above the recommended amount.

I have laid off the booze occasionally or opted to alternate beer with water or soft drinks. I'm aware that drinking alcohol can age you. People don't realise this until they start getting wrinkles before they're 30! Then there are the dreaded hangovers the day after the night before... and they're rarely worth it! The long term effects can be severe liver damage and increased memory loss.

After university I think drinking less will become easier. There is less pressure to go out and socialise. You can always say no, but there is a risk of feeling isolated and envious that your friends are out enjoying themselves without you. And also after uni we have to live in the real world and get jobs! This will leave less time for a social life and therefore less boozing. So at the moment I'm not worried, but I would advise anyone who is a heavy drinker and smoker to reassess what they're doing to themselves.