Well, fortunately not as many adults and teens are smoking today as they did in the past. However, a significant number of teens do take up regular smoking. The latest statistics show about 20 percent of teens become regular smokers by the time they are 18. But, over the past several years there's been a decrease in smoking among boys, while the proportion of girls smoking has increased somewhat. The answer though is somewhat complex.
Several factors are important.
First of all teens see adults that they admire smoking and they connect this with a desirable trait. The message that they often see in the movies, television, magazines, and particularly advertisements is one that says-smoking is sophisticated, smoking is a sign of maturity and status. Teens want to grow up. They want to feel grown up. They want to feel important.