Your Stories
Have you got a story that you want to share about how you resisted peer pressure? Send in your stories, go to Your Contributions.
When I was in year 8 a gang came up to me with a fag in their hand and said 'come on smoke this you will look cool'. I said no I want to stay healthy. They were caught smoking 4 times and were suspended so they don't look cool now.
Ruby-Leigh s1sb 18343
When I was in year 6, all my friends said that they would never ever smoke. When we started in year 7 they began to smoke. I asked them why and they said that their parents smoked so they tried it and liked it so started smoking. They kept pressuring me to try nut I said no because one of my family had died from smoking. My friends said they weren't bothered as they wouldn't die. Because of what I said most of my friends have quit smoking now so I don't have to breathe in there cigarette smoke.
Bethany s1sb 18840
Ever since I was little there were people around me who smoked. It was really hard as when I went to school I always smelled of smoke and people at school would always pressure me by asking me for a fag. It was really scary as they didn't believe I didn't smoke because I always smelt of smoke and they began to bully me and call me a liar. Now I am in foster care and people don't smoke and I now have friends who don't smoke. Woopi!!!!
Charlotte s1sb 19387
You know what my best mates was smoking and they were offer me to smoke and I said no way and no thank and I have heart problem and I was so worry about them and I thought about and I told them that I won’t be your friend if you are going carry on smoking and you will lose me which you need me the most and I always fix you problem and won’t you stop smoking for me then suddenly they threw the fags outside the school and now on they smells much better and is nice to help each other and I was so proud that I did it. HORRAY HIP HIP HORRAY.
Manisha
When I started smoking it was because all my mates were and it’s a horrible habit. I went in smelling of cigarettes every night and even though I’d showered and sprayed, the smell still lingered. I never believed that you could get cancer from smoking until my Nana did. Then I completely stopped smoking, and now I refuse to smoke or even touch one. Yes it’s hard because my best friend and my boyfriend smoke, but I know it’s worth it after what happened, and I know I will never let myself smoke again. It just goes to show that some people don’t believe it can happen until it actually does – and trust me it can and it kills. I know it’s hard to stop, but after you do, you feel so much better and a lot cleaner. A tip for the girls – if you smoke and the boy you’re kissing doesn’t, he probably won’t ring you or text you again or may even refuse to go out with you because of your nasty habit, so stop – we know you can!
Joanne (s1sb 18193)
Runner Up Contribution for January!
Congratulations Joanne, you’ve won a Smokebusters Clock!
My Mum smoked and I begged her to stop, but she didn’t listen. So I carried asking her and finally she stopped on the 23rd March. She hasn’t smoked for 4 years and she smells a lot better!
Tyler (s1sb 18212)
I was out one day when I saw people smoking – I was about 9. And I walked past with my Mum and the people who were smoking put the fag out on my jumper. I was ok, but they shouldn’t have done that. It’s also not fair on the council as they have to clean up the fag ends. In my opinion, smoking should be banned.
Sarah (s1sb 17698)
Runner Up Contribution for January!
Congratulations Sarah, you’ve won a Smokebusters Clock!
I have just started High School and lots of people in my School smoke. My mate smokes so I should show them this website because I want my mate to stop. The people who smoke always smell really bad.
Chelsea (s1sb 18165)
Runner Up Contribution for December!
Congratulations Chelsea, you’ve won a Smokebusters Clock!
I’ve just started High School and I’ve found out that nearly everyone in my class smokes and everybody is always talking about it. I’m glad that I haven’t started smoking because I don’t really want to smell and waste all my money.
Hayley (s1sb 17955)
Star Contribution for November!
I am in Year 7 and my boyfriend and all my friends used to smoke, but I always gave them lectures on why they shouldn’t smoke. Then one day we were in Newcastle and they were all smoking, and they offered me one, but I turned away and said “no way”. Since then I have got better friends who like what I like, but I know that their disgusting habit shouldn’t have got in the way of our friendship, but I always went home stinking of smoke. So why do it – it’s disgusting and a waste of money.
Harriet (s1sb 18041)
Congratulations Harriet, you’ve won a Family Pass for 4 for the Odeon!
I went to High School and I was in Year 7, and all of my friends had started smoking. I didn’t get it, as they all said that they would never smoke. So I asked them when they started and they said in the 6 week holidays. They also said it was cool and that I should start.
I’m now in Year 9 and I’m so glad that I still don’t smoke. I never want to and I still refuse to try. I feel I’m the better person for walking away. The other good thing is that I’m a lot fitter than them now, and they used to be in to sport more than me. In the end, I’ve come off better than them, as I’m the one spending my money in a useful way.
Laura (s1sb 17808)
Runner Up Contribution for October!
Congratulations
Laura, you’ve won a Smokebusters Clock!
Peter was only 12 when he started smoking. He didn't mean to, he'd only done it to fit in. But at the age of 35, diagnosed with lung cancer, Peter looked back on the day he started to smoke….
It had been at High School. Peter and his best friend Mike were hanging out at the park after School when Tony and his 'cool' mates appeared. They were all smoking and they looked really old. "I wish I was like them" whispered Peter. "Like them? Smokers? I don't think so!" said Mike. "But look how cool they are" said Peter. "They won't be in the future, believe me" said Mike. Peter couldn't understand Mike's attitude, as he really wanted to be like them.
So, a few days later, when Tony and his friends came over, Peter was all too ready to fit in. He started speaking like them and tried acting like them. When Tony offered him a cigarette, Peter hesitated slightly. But when he looked around and saw the others standing around looking so cool, so he decided to take it. "What are you doing?" asked Mike. "Having a life" Peter replied. Everyone laughed. "You have one" said Peter. "I’m never touching one of those" said Mike sharply. With that he stood up and walked away. Peter watched him with a feeling of unease. From that day on, Peter hung around with Tony, and Peter and Mike ignored each other.
Now at the age of 35, Peter had met up with Mike again. He found out that Mike had just got married and was planning to have a child. Unfortunately, Peter would never get the chance to see his own kid grow up. His life was going to be too short.
After failing to keep in touch regularly, with work and day to day life taking over, Peter had bumped in to Tony as well. Tony was ok, apart from a persistent bad chest – which he kept saying he needed to get checked out, but kept putting it off. When Peter told him the news about his lung cancer, he could see in Tony’s eyes that he was thinking back years and years ago to the day when he first offered Peter a cigarette. You could tell he felt guilty – he kept shifting around and staring at the ground. They parted with Tony saying goodbye – but the words barely came out as he knew that this would be the last time he ever saw his old best mate.
“I was lucky when I was at School as most of my friends were in to sport, so they weren’t really bothered about smoking. But as we got older a couple of friends did start smoking, but by that time I’d made my mind up that I didn’t want to smoke, so I had the confidence to say “No”. Looking back now I’m so glad I chose not to smoke, as it seems so pointless and so expensive!”
Helen (s1sb 17706)
Want some help on how to deal with peer pressure and some ideas on how to resist giving in to just one cigarette? Then take a look at our Top Tips.
