Theo, 22, believes that nicotine has a positive effect on brain functioning. Cagla Alkan

Caitlin, 20, a JPRA major of Temple University, started smoking at 13 "because I wanted to hang out with cool crowd. I have not stopped smoking because I'm damn cranky without cigarette." Gniewomira Swaldek

Cagla Alkan, 22, says "I am not smoking because I have asthma, but I smoked that particular cigarette for art. Yes I did." Gniewomira Swaldek

Caitlin Ryan, 20, a JPRA major at Temple University, started smoking when she was 13. "Because I wanted to be cool," she said. "I've continued because I'm a bitch when I don't have nicotine in my system." Heather Duffy

Maryte Curran, 25, smoked for eight years. "I smoke because I drink coffee. I couldn't imagine one without the other," she said. Jonathan Goldberg

Shandy Lee, 26, a BTMM graduate student at Temple, started smoking at 18. "The smoke of cigarettes shields me from the outside world," Shandy said. Mutzu Huang

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