Smoking, Like Obesity, Is Socially Contagious
Health behaviors spread from friend to friend, studies show. How to harness the phenomenon
Posted May 21, 2008
Reader Comments
Definitely Socially Motivated
Smoking is both an individual and social activity. For instance, if your friends step outside for a smoke break, the social reward from joining them rises. Similarly, if one's friends don't smoke, there is a social cost to smoking alone or asking friends to step out with you. It has long been known that peer behaviour may also influence one's beliefs. It may be very difficult to quit the habit and keep your smoking friends!
Christopher Thaens
Tampa Bay, Florida
what I want to say
after reading this article, I think it is right that most of us have a strange opinion to do what others do! so it is good sometimes but not always. do you agree?
