Culture tends to repeat itself over time. If you’re in your middle age or older, you’ve probably noticed trends and media from your youth making a comeback, often for the third or fourth time. Whether it’s a pop star rocking flared jeans, a party blasting Y2K rave music, or catching a ’90s slang term at your local coffee shop, these instances serve as reminders that our interactions and self-defining symbols often draw from the past.
Despite years of campaigns against smoking, laws emphasizing the serious health risks, and a decline in smoking rates, cigarettes have once again become less stigmatized. This shift is noticeable beyond trendy city hubs. Well-known celebrities like Ben Affleck and Sean Penn have long been associated with smoking, and a new wave of stars such as Dua Lipa and Charli XCX now openly embrace cigarettes. Scenes glamorizing smoking in Celine Song’s film “Materialists” and mentions of smoking by celebrities like Countess Luann de Lesseps indicate a resurgence of cigarettes in pop culture.
The reappearance of smoking as a symbol in popular culture raises questions about the extent of this revival. Is it merely a curated aesthetic or a nostalgic trend, or could it signify a genuine resurgence in real-world smoking habits? And if so, what is fueling this trend?
Jared Oviatt, a smoker who manages the @cigfluencers Instagram account featuring celebrities smoking, believes that the prominence of cigarettes in celebrity culture doesn’t necessarily indicate a mainstream return to smoking habits. While smoking imagery is more prevalent, Oviatt suggests that we may be approaching the peak of this trend rather than a full resurgence of smoking in public spaces.
Although smoking rates among youth have been consistently declining in Canada since the early 2000s, the rise of vaping poses new concerns. While cigarettes are making a comeback in pop culture visuals and social media, the prevalence of smoking accessories and fashion statements signals a potential shift in perceptions toward smoking.
For some young smokers like Alexander from Montreal, smoking serves as a social signal and a way to connect with others in a digital age. Despite the allure of smoking as a rebellious act, health experts caution about the serious risks associated with smoking and emphasize the importance of quitting early to avoid long-term health issues.
While smoking may be portrayed as fashionable in media, the harsh reality of its health consequences remains unchanged. Public health experts continue to stress the dangers of smoking and the need for awareness, especially among younger generations who may be influenced by the romanticized image of smoking in popular culture.