Is Smoking Making a Comeback? Experts Analyze New Trend
A recent column in The Telegraph by journalist Liz Hoggard suggests that the trend of smoking is returning “with new force,” both in cinema and in real life among celebrities and the general public. This observation is supported by a study published in March, which indicated that from 2020 to 2024, smoking rates in England rose by 10%. This perceived resurgence is prompting a closer look at the social and psychological factors driving people back to a habit long known for its severe health risks.
Hoggard notes a growing number of online photos featuring celebrities with cigarettes, including figures like Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, and Gwyneth Paltrow, both on-screen and in their personal lives. Despite widespread knowledge of the dangers—including increased risks of cancer, heart disease, respiratory illness, and erectile dysfunction—smoking appears to be gaining traction across different generations, even among Gen Z, often considered a more health-conscious “sensible generation.”
Professor Ivo Vlaev, a behavioral psychologist at the University of Warwick, explains this popularity through the power of ritual and the desire to belong to the “smokers’ club.” He describes it as a ready-made micro-community, where the act of smoking can ease awkward social moments. “It’s a convenient way to start a conversation, disguised as a health risk,” Vlaev added.
Hoggard suggests that while cigarettes can be a sign of chic rebellion for some, many adults are choosing them because they are embarrassed to use vapes, which they perceive as a “teenage” habit. Furthermore, she frames nicotine as a form of “medicine” in a world grappling with global conflict, climate crisis, and high living costs, offering a way to distract from and reduce stress. Vlaev concurs that smoking can be a simpler, more immediate way to cope with stress compared to alternatives like physical exercise.
Sociologist Laura Fenton adds that older generations may be more tolerant of smoking risks, making them more likely to resume the habit during difficult times. She also notes that some Gen Z members, who came of age during the pandemic, now have better-paying jobs and can afford to smoke and drink without significant financial concern.
To combat this trend, Professor Vlaev proposes several measures. He suggests de-glamorizing the process by reducing the number of images of celebrities smoking. He also recommends practical environmental changes, such as removing ashtrays and lighters from restaurants and cafes and reconfiguring outdoor spaces to prevent the “smokers’ club” from becoming a social standard. The goal is to shift the social environment to make smoking a less convenient and less visible ritual.
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