Why Do Dancers Smoke?

[manos311]

I don't think that professional dancers start to smoke to keep their weight down, probably they started smoking at a young age, before they could understand the risks. In order to quit, you need dedication and calmness, and being a professional dancer who trains for competitions can be very stressful. So they just keep smoking, thinking that there are a few "benefits" from smoking, like keeping their weight down, and taking their stress away.

[chomsky]

It makes sense that smoking and professional dance go hand in hand. First, smoking is a proven weight deterrent and many dancers fight a constant battle to keep pounds off. Besides being an oral pacifier, nicotine also speeds up your metabolism, an added attraction for dancers always looking to find an edge.

I think it has nothing to do with weight and everything to do with stress; I should know, I used to be a smoker for 10 years and I only started it to make my husband quit.
I used to be a smoker, I didn't use to be a dancer so who knows...However, I used to be (or still am?) boulimic and weigth control is obsessive there. Still, smoking is not something boulimics do to keep their weight down.

[chrislo]

Why does anyone smoke? That is the question.

I don't see what dancing has to do with it.

It's the same as any form of addiction why do people do it. Chocolate, alcohol, or any other drug for that matter.