Gee E do you smoke now? Didn't your first cigarette taste like CRAP? I tried my first one at the age of ten in the basement of my grandparents cottage in Michigan. My uncle's pack was on the kitchen table. I took one out, got a book of matches and snuck downstairs. In Michigan homes have BASEMENTS and ATTICS. In California they don't. My mom and sis and I went by train to visit them that summer. We stayed for two weeks. Daddy stayed at home because he had to work. I've described that first encounter multiple times over the years at Answerbag and here. IT CURED ME. My throat burned and I thought I was going to BARF! IT WAS AWFUL. I don't know what other first timers experience but if it's anything like that they'd never do it again. Thank you for your reply! :)