How come Will is a smoker?

Probably nothing more complicated than an oral fixation.

When you're that smart and wired, and you're obviously not getting enough money from school or work, you need something to relieve the anxiety. He's a rebel double fold just simply enough of his blue color predicament in life. Having him smoke makes perfect sense, as it adds realness of life to the character.

Boredom! It provides a "reason" to hang around w/one another. Same reason many groups of writers and artists smoke - something to do while talking about nothing of great import.

Are people this dense?

Everyone that smokes, drinks, does drugs, etc. KNOWS IT'S BAD.

They do it because they want to despite the health hazards. You know, kind of like extreme sports, rock climbing, driving cars, boxing. Stuff humans do for fun and kicks.

Are people this dense?

Everyone that smokes, drinks, does drugs, etc. KNOWS IT'S BAD.

They do it because they want to despite the health hazards. You know, kind of like extreme sports, rock climbing, driving cars, boxing. Stuff humans engage in despite the risks.

Raw intellect doesn't automatically translate to common sense or good decision making.

4th wall break inside a 4th wall break... that's like 16 walls!

Did he ever smoke with his Southie friends? Or was he only smoking in the presence of the college folks? I feel like it was an artistic choice by the director to have him show his 'lower class' status. I know at least one time Robin Williams told him not to smoke.

This topic reminds me of the fact that showing smoking much at all will push a movie up to a PG-13 or R. It's funny though cause most of the movies I can think of with lots of people smoking are all rated R. Like this movie. Or Die Hard. Or some of Scorsese's movies. It seems kind of silly for a movie to be rated R for Violence, Language, Sexuality, and heavy amounts of smoking. I mean I guarantee that kids see someone smoking everyday. Just to go your local grocery store and people will be smoking outside. Heck, yesterday while I was on my job collecting carts I saw a guy with his wife and baby daughter who was smoking a cigarette. I'm not in support of people smoking but you can't really shield your kids from it completely. Then again you can't shield your kid from bad language either.