For some people, lighting up is a commitment that lasts a lifetime.
But for others, their relationship with cigarettes is more like dating, only smoking on occasion.
And while the smoking rate has gone down, the number of part-time smokers is on the rise.
"Being a part time smoker allows some people to be able to kind of deny that they're using tobacco," said Serena Chen of the American Lung Association.
The rise in what's called "part time smoking" is likely the result of tobacco education and smoke-free laws.
Chain smoking is viewed as socially un-acceptable, but the occasional cigarette? Studies show many young people will give it a try.
A recent study shows that 18-29 year olds are twice as likely to be non-daily smokers than 50 to 64 year olds.
But experts say part time smoking can be just as dangerous.
"Social smoking is like playing with fire in the sense that every time you smoke, you increase the likelihood of your brain creating addictive tendencies toward that nicotine. And before you know it without even recognizing that's even happening, you're smoking more and more and then you are addicted to nicotine," Chen said.
The occasional cigarette can also be a psychological addiction like when people smoke to cope with stress, depression and weight loss.
"Yeah, I think it's dangerous when we're not at our best, we make a decisions about these things and then down the pike, we say, 'oh why did I do that?'" said psychologist Dr. Tom Plante.
Despite the regret, experts say part time smokers never quit. That's because they don't believe they're addicted.
Experts say even part-time smokers might need to seek professional help before they can quit.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement