The future of smoking
September 9th 2007 13:35
Last night, this blogger attended a social event. This morning, this blogger woke to the smell of smoke.
Many of the attendants of last night's social gathering were smokers and after hours of being in such close proximity with them, my hair became a sponge for their smoke but of course I only realised that this morning. I rolled over and landed face first into my lung cancer beckoning tresses. This experience was not one to remember, but it did prompt me to wonder what my contemporaries think of smoking.
Well, firstly where do we pick up our smoking stance? That is to say, what parts of our nurture lead to whether we take up smoking ourselves and what we think of those who do? As was to be expected, la famiglia play a role in this decision, but exactly what part they play varies. For some, smoking is icky- they do not approve of their parents doing it because they see it as a health risk and an unnecessary drink on finances. Others believe the apple never falls far from the tree and begin puffing with little or no resistance form their parents. They view it as a social norm, a way to relax and even a right of passage to mark being a certain age. Really superficially, how the children of smokers turn out can be put down to whether the parent/s in question see themselves as parents or friends. Parenting parents will say "no, smoking is a bad habit and what's worse- it is addictive. Stay away kido". Let's Be Friends parents will say "oh alright, it's your choice- no look, you do it like this". Okay, these are gross and limiting generalisations- I know that. Please do not heckle me over them it's just that I am trying to write a blog entry not a thesis on social norms and their contributors.
Alright, so now that I've very shallowly covered the offspring of smokers, allow me to provide an even shallower portrayal of the children of non-smokers.
If you get 'em while they're young, and instill it into them that that smoking is a no-no always and forever, there's a good chance they’ll listen. That is, providing they are strong enough to withstand peer pressure and are not surrounded my temptation.
Take a slightly more lax approach and chuck in some stressful situations, and you may just find yourself with a kid who smokes because their friends do or because they need to relax. Yes, Heaven forbid they should actually start their school project instead of procrastinating.
Now moving on, let's say a member of Generation Y grows up to be a smoker- how likely is it that they will butt out? The Australian Bureau of Statistics denied me access to the statistics of the future but no matter, I have speculation.
Pubs and clubs are smoke free. So are restaurants and smoking anywhere near children is frowned upon. To look into the future, simply look at your cigarette packet to view what will be your lungs in 10 years. If that image is too small for you, turn on your TV and wait for an ad break. Smoking is bad for you- give it up is the message being circulated. My consultation with the Research Rodents gave me an insight into how effective these are.
Not very, apparently.
It seems that these images and ad campaigns are preaching to the converted, while the chimneys are still lighting up. Not even the warnings from ex-smokers seem to be having an effect. What now?
Prevention is better than a cure, apparently. The Research Rodents want more stringent targeting of youngsters to stop them from lighting up it he first place. Lovely, except that what you call 'youngsters' I call 'Generation Z' and therefore will not be blogging about. What is the future of smoking? Eventually I'm sure we'll al kick the habit, but we're not there just yet.
Many of the attendants of last night's social gathering were smokers and after hours of being in such close proximity with them, my hair became a sponge for their smoke but of course I only realised that this morning. I rolled over and landed face first into my lung cancer beckoning tresses. This experience was not one to remember, but it did prompt me to wonder what my contemporaries think of smoking.
Well, firstly where do we pick up our smoking stance? That is to say, what parts of our nurture lead to whether we take up smoking ourselves and what we think of those who do? As was to be expected, la famiglia play a role in this decision, but exactly what part they play varies. For some, smoking is icky- they do not approve of their parents doing it because they see it as a health risk and an unnecessary drink on finances. Others believe the apple never falls far from the tree and begin puffing with little or no resistance form their parents. They view it as a social norm, a way to relax and even a right of passage to mark being a certain age. Really superficially, how the children of smokers turn out can be put down to whether the parent/s in question see themselves as parents or friends. Parenting parents will say "no, smoking is a bad habit and what's worse- it is addictive. Stay away kido". Let's Be Friends parents will say "oh alright, it's your choice- no look, you do it like this". Okay, these are gross and limiting generalisations- I know that. Please do not heckle me over them it's just that I am trying to write a blog entry not a thesis on social norms and their contributors.
Alright, so now that I've very shallowly covered the offspring of smokers, allow me to provide an even shallower portrayal of the children of non-smokers.
If you get 'em while they're young, and instill it into them that that smoking is a no-no always and forever, there's a good chance they’ll listen. That is, providing they are strong enough to withstand peer pressure and are not surrounded my temptation.
Take a slightly more lax approach and chuck in some stressful situations, and you may just find yourself with a kid who smokes because their friends do or because they need to relax. Yes, Heaven forbid they should actually start their school project instead of procrastinating.
Now moving on, let's say a member of Generation Y grows up to be a smoker- how likely is it that they will butt out? The Australian Bureau of Statistics denied me access to the statistics of the future but no matter, I have speculation.
Pubs and clubs are smoke free. So are restaurants and smoking anywhere near children is frowned upon. To look into the future, simply look at your cigarette packet to view what will be your lungs in 10 years. If that image is too small for you, turn on your TV and wait for an ad break. Smoking is bad for you- give it up is the message being circulated. My consultation with the Research Rodents gave me an insight into how effective these are.
Not very, apparently.
It seems that these images and ad campaigns are preaching to the converted, while the chimneys are still lighting up. Not even the warnings from ex-smokers seem to be having an effect. What now?
Prevention is better than a cure, apparently. The Research Rodents want more stringent targeting of youngsters to stop them from lighting up it he first place. Lovely, except that what you call 'youngsters' I call 'Generation Z' and therefore will not be blogging about. What is the future of smoking? Eventually I'm sure we'll al kick the habit, but we're not there just yet.
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Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Good topic and well done. Liked all your words...
Comment by Wynona Lavota
Generation Y Life
Comment by Louie
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Great Post. I thought it was illegal to smoke anywhere these days.
Comment by Chic Critique
I think that you're right, eventually smoking will be this thing we say "did you know people used to do that?!" When? Maybe the 22nd or 23rd century?
Unfortunately we still see rock stars and "cool people" in movies smoking. It's still considered cool by a hell of a lot of people, and now even more rebellious thanks to the increasing rules around it within society. ie. Whenever you're telling someone to "not" do something, the temptation is immediately created.
I agree with the other guys, it's really a choice. One thing we should remember is that we lose control over our environment as soon as we step outside the front door. We need to deal with the consequences of that. That's part of the joy of living in a society I guess!
Cheers
CC
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
But you know, smoking is a choice. We all do dumb shit at times. Some people smoke. 18-25 yr old boys drive their cars recklessly. Some do drugs.
We do dumb stuff that we know could kill us. But we're either young enough to believe that we're indestrucible, don't think it'll happen to us, or don't care.
I don't smoke. But I have a problem with people who want to tell smokers whether they can smoke or not. It's a choice.
Good post!
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen
That non-smoking in pubs rule is only applicable in Queensland, right? Or is it Australia wide now?
I don't know if he was exaggerating or not, but a friend of mine who visited Indonesia said some cigarette packets had "smoking cures cough," written on them.
I remember the first time the pleasure of smoking finally hit me. There was some time, way way way back, when I smoked and it tasted pretty horrible. One day, though, I suddenly relaxed. My tension just faded. I guess that's why quitting can be hard. People need their temporary, and consequently addictive bouts of relaxation. But I guess you can't get something good without a fatal price.
Comment by ChrisB
Formula 1
The Social Centre
Frankly smoking is a choice - one which has consequences, but people can get sick from alcohol, sex and fatty foods and nobody arcs p on them as much as the humble ciggy.
I dont smoke, but I have a lot of mates who do, and the general rule is: They dont blow smoke in my face, and i dont lecture them about throat cancer.
Comment by Wynona Lavota
Generation Y Life
I thought the ban was Aus. wide, but I could be wrong- I don't claim to research thoroughly.
Comment by Anonymous
I'm in favour of treating adult like adults; let me take whatever drugs I want - make sure that the drugs are properly labelled, the same way prescription drugs are. Also, it's wrong imho to impose your smoke upon others, so I agree with the smoking ban.
HG.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
So, if people are going to discriminate against smokers, lines need to be drawn. Some people hate everyone who smokes anything, others have a dad who smokes a pipe so thats ok, but no cancer sticks. Others think marijuana is fine, tobacco is evil.
Just let us have one smoking room per pub. If we want to risk it, its up to us.
Comment by Anonymous
Once the economy gets even worse than it is.. everyone will start smoking again.
Oh and please dont EVER EVER DARE tell me how to live my life. Get over yourselves and your paranoia of the smell of smoke. Grow up already.