According to a 2005 study done by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), 23% of high school students reported smoking cigarettes in the last month. This is compared with a previous study of high school students that showed 21.9% in 2003.
 
So why do teenagers smoke? One of the reasons is peer pressure, and because I was given the topic of "Peer Pressure", I am going to write about it today.
First things come first; what is peer pressure? According to the not very reliable Wikipedia, it refers to the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change his or her attitudes, values, or bahavior in order to conform to group norms.
 
It normally happens when people wants to be accepted by a group, and therefore do what the group do, or what the group tells him or her to do. It also happens directly, indirectly or individually. Directly, when one is in the group, and someone tells you what to and what not to do.
 
Indirectly, when the group you are with have this particular habit, or do this activity. Individually, when you feel that you are different from this group you are with, and does something to feel like the rest of them. So in conclusion, the pressure comes when one wants to be included in the group he or she is in, as shown when you change your habit to suit those in the group you are with. Like when the group don't go home after school, most probably you would follow them too, so that you won't feel left out from them.
 
But before you condem peer pressure, bare in mind that peer pressure has its positive sides too, for example when you decide you study after being around with a studious group.
 
To deal with the negative side of peer pressure, one can have friends in lots of different groups, and through this, you will never be left alone, even if one of the groups ostracize you.  You can also always say "no" to it, like saying "no" to drugs, although this may be difficult.
 
And if you are a christian, always remember that you have a friend that is steadfastly loyal - Jesus. He forgives your every fault. He supports and encourages you when you need it most, and he listens whenever you want to talk. He is a tireless listener. Jesus loves you as a friend who wants to see you grow to your full potential. There is no jealousy in him. He wants only the best for you.  " John 15:14-15: 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. "
 
Personal Experience
This person kept asking me to pay for the KFC delivery the group was ordering, and I gave in to it, as I did not want the person to keep on "pleading" me, saying "Please lah, please lah". So i finally nodded my head after what seemed to be eternity, and paid $6+ to it. Luckily, there wasn't any consequences to it, just that I had a share of the KFC delivery.
 
Source: http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=274
           http://christianity.about.com/od/christmasdevotionals/qt/jesusourhopedev.htm
           http://iseeitdifferently.wordpress.com/2007/05/26/jesus-christ-friend-of-sinners/
           http://ffanewhorizons.org/index.php/in_this_issue/ffa_feature/resist_peer_pressure/
           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_pressure

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