SharingHope blog

Smoking as an anti-depressant? Don’t think so.

September 8, 2008

Yesterday, I wrote about observing an increase in smoking among youth, and I got a response from someone who posted as Joe Camel.  He said:

The reason !.2 billion people worldwide are smokers is because it’s the best antidepressant.known to man. It also works as a tranquilizer and stimulant at the same time.And it smells and tastes good. Nuff said?

As someone who has battled depression since I was teen, I can appreciate the desire to alleviate a dark mood.  I’m also the mom of a 12 year old girl, and my heart breaks when I see all the pressures on our kids.  I just finished an incredibly helpful book on raising teens by child psychologist, Dr. Mike Bradley (http://www.yesyourteeniscrazy.com/), and the question he asks parents is, “With all of that stress, why wouldn’t your kid turn to chemicals?” 

Though we might be vehemently anti-smoking, I do think it’s helpful to accept the reality that smoking can be attractive.  It’s tempting to hammer kids with images of lung disease and stories of early deaths from cancer, but teens just aren’t thinking about attending their future grandchild’s college graduation.  How else do we make our appeals? 

What if we talk more openly with our teens about anxiety and depression, it’s root causes and management? Such discussions could coincide with examining tobacco marketing messages that show cigarettes as a way to relax, socialize, or stay thin. 

Mr. Camel makes the claim that cigarettes are “the best antidepressant known to man.”  I know many smokers feel that way, but I don’t know of any research that supports this bold assertion.  I just can’t imagine looking at the smokers around me and thinking, “hmmm… smoking really seems to keep them free of depression and anxiety – maybe it will work for me.”   

I wonder if at least part of the reason “1.2 people worldwide are smokers” is they get addicted at tender ages, when their bodies seem invincible, and attempts to quit, even for a day, cause unpleasant, even debilitating withdrawal symptoms. 

As far as cigarettes “smelling and tasting good” to Mr. Camel,  I really can’t relate.  The slightest exposure makes me gasp for breath and grab my inhaler.  Body chemistry is complicated, isn’t it?  I’m all for adults making their own decisions.  Still, with smoking being so terribly addictive and cancer-causing, I think we should pull out all the stops when it comes to preventing teens from taking that first puff.

What do you think?  Comment here, or in the form of video on sharinghope.tv.

Entry Filed under: Quit Smoking. Tags: anti-depressants, anti-smoking, depression, smoking, smoking as antidepressant, tobacco marketing.