How Cigarette Smoking Went from Being Fashionable & Trendy to a Social Stigma

Vapor cigarette enthusiasts at SouthBeach explore the changing societal attitudes of the "analog" predecessor

Cigarette smoking was once viewed as fashionable and trendy.  Everyone was doing it, including many role models and popular TV and movie actors. It was quite common to see iconic actors like Humphrey Bogart or John Wayne light up both on and off-camera.

Today, it has become more of a social stigma than ever before.  Not only is it no longer viewed as a "cool" thing to do, but often, a smoker may be looked down upon, shunned and viewed as a bad person.

Business was once conducted through smoke filled rooms. College and high school students would stand proudly smoking around the halls and campus. Now, with cigarette bans and various views people have of cigarettes, one can barely feel comfortable doing it without people staring, and rolling their eyes at them for their "annoyance."

Although the acceptance of cigarette smoking is rapidly declining, the CDC says there are still an estimated 42.1 million people in the United States that continue to smoke, or 18.1% of the adult population.  

One of the biggest reasons for the shift in views is that we've become more educated on the negative consequences of smoking. For example, if my parents had known the effects of second hand smoke, I don't think my dad would have exposed his family to two packs of cigarettes a day.

Consider all of the following facts that have been brought to light over the last few decades.

Health Issues

• There are an estimated 480,000 cigarette related deaths in the United States each year.  16 million Americans suffer from a cigarette related illness.
• The most obvious illness a smoker gets is cancer, with lung cancer accounting for around 90% of these cases. However, it has been proven that smoking can also cause bladder, breast, cervical, kidney, mouth, gastrointestinal, esophageal, and throat cancer.
• Coronary heart disease, heart attacks and Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) are among a variety of respiratory illnesses that can be caused by smoking.
• Check here for a full list of various types of illnesses associated with smoking.

Second hand smoke issues

• There are over 4,000 toxins and carcinogens associated with cigarette smoke.  Many of these are inhaled by the non-smoker.
• Second hand smoke consists of a mixture of fine particles and gasses that include carcinogenic, or cancer causing toxins.
• Children are highly affected by second hand smoke.  Many issues they suffer from are an increased risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), ear infections, respiratory issues, and frequent and severe asthma attacks. (Now I know why when I was a child we used to take my brother to the hospital every few months for severe asthma!!)

Environmental Issues

• Years ago, the environment was never really discussed.  Now, we look at a variety of issues that can affect our world.  A serious issue now being considered is cigarettes.
• Did you know it takes one tree to produce only 300 cigarettes?
• When people discard their cigarette butts on the ground, the carcinogens can get into the dirt and our water table.
• Animals can get sick from eating cigarette butts.
• Not to mention just how nasty it looks to see cigarette butts floating around in our beautiful rivers and lakes, or lying around at the beach.

Fertility Issues

• Smoking has been linked to serious fertility issues including damaged eggs, problems with ovulation, low sperm count for men and an increased risk of miscarriage.

Personal Issues

• In 2004, 10 states put a total ban on smoking in restaurants and 6 states banned it in bars.  Now you can barely find a restaurant that will allow it. 
• Many times you can't find a venue that will allow you to smoke anywhere in its' vicinity.  Do you feel like you have to hide somewhere to smoke in peace?
• Life and health insurance premiums are also higher if you are a smoker.
• How about the odor that comes along with being a smoker?  Even if no one sees you doing it, everyone knows you do because the smell that stays in your hair and clothes.
• Taxes are astronomical on a pack of cigarettes. In fiscal year 2014, states will collect $25.7 billion from these taxes and legal settlements.

Although there are still a large amount of smokers in the United States, it is on a rapid decline.  Many of them have adopted alternatives like the vapor cigarette, which delivers nicotine without the harsh and odorous smoke cigarettes are known for.

If you are interested in considering this alternative, we invite you to give a vapor cigarette from SouthBeach a try.

E-smoking is becoming a much more accepted alternative since you only exhale a vapor that doesn't smell or cling to everything it touches.  Around campus, in restaurants and even in the latest movies, you will see others enjoying the benefits of a vapor cigarette.

Why not give one a try?  It could be just the alternative you're looking for!

Check out SouthBeach's extensive selection of vapor cigarettes, or browse our blog and knowledge center to learn more today.