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Yeah, we know cigarettes kill. Our generation is the first to grow up in a world where everyone knows how bad cigarettes are. We’ve been subject to relentless anti-tobacco campaigns, health classes, informational videos ad nauseum. We’ve all seen those Truth commercials with hip young activists confronting evil Phillip Morris executives Michael Moore-style. We know all about the zillions of horrible chemicals packed in every glorious puff. Our childhood role models didn’t include the Marlboro man on TV, and none of us can recall the days before “where can I go smoke” replaced “where’s your ashtray?” Our generation knows that not everyone is doing it. In fact, we’re well aware that most people don’t smoke cigarettes, and the number who do is steadily declining. For our grandparents, people smoked cigarettes because it was the thing to do. But for our generation, smokers do it because it’s the thing not to do. And honestly, after hearing “cigarettes are death” our whole lives, how could any self-respecting rebellious young person not be tempted to try just one? Besides, we UVMers love counterculture shit like that. We’re more rebellious than the average college students; from our environmentalists to our new football players, from skateboards and pot to Red Rocks and naked bike riding— our interests don’t usually fit the norm very well. We’re all fighting the power somehow. Cigarette smokers are also fighting the establishment, and let me tell you, The Man has definitely quit smoking boges. The past ten years have been the decade of tobacco hate, and The Man has been coming down hard. As many as 30 states, including Vermont, have enacted laws banning smoking in certain publicly-accessible places like bars, restaurants, and workplaces. The anti-smoking group Reality Check is lobbying the MPAA to slap an R rating on movies that show actors smoking. Amusement parks have adopted “Designated Smoking Zones”. States like New Jersey have raised the legal age to purchase tobacco to 19 (dumb), and Vermont has enacted a ridiculous state law requiring smokers to be 20 feet away from any building before lighting up. Come on. Yes, we are the first generation of cigarette smokers to be an oppressed minority. But like all oppressed communities, we band together. There are ample unspoken connections between cigarette smokers. Too-serious RAs who enforce the 20 foot rule in the rain will unknowingly bond perfect strangers as they share dirty looks. Light acquaintances will be happy to bum cigs, share lighters, and chatter about preferred brands. Neighbors will connect through the look that says “I feel ya,” when puffing at 2 in the morning in the snow. Like many cigarette smokers, I’ve been back and forth plenty of times. I had my first cigarette in my aunt’s basement when I was 14. It was a disgusting Newport 100. But turning 18, and the subsequent ability to buy a pack at the Shell station really got me going. But then I would get really turned off and stop smoking. Then I would start again. Then stop. Then start, and so on. I understand the concerns of nonsmokers. I’ve raced across both poles of the smoking spectrum myself. Cigs smell gross to those who don’t smoke, and it’s annoying to get hit with a blast of unexpected secondhand smoke on the way to class. With that said, non-smokers have to put things in perspective. Smoking laws need to make smoking spaces that smokers and nonsmokers find acceptable. The current mentality finds no fault in inconveniencing smokers as much as possible. Keep in mind that human adults, on average, breathe 23,000 times a day. So, is it really that horrible to deal with a miniscule amount of secondhand smoke here and there? Non-smokers can be annoying. Smokers are ostracized and inconvenienced. The evidence of how unhealthy cigarettes are is everywhere. It’s a hard knock life for smokers of the 21st century. That’s why I like girls who smoke cigarettes. They say, “hell with all the evidence, I’m gonna smoke.” They look at all those Dr. Downers in the medical community and say, “I’m young, I’ll do what I want.” They get lectured by non-smokers and say, “I just don’t give a fuck.” They’re not worried about what guys think of their habit, and they’re certainly not worried about conforming. They know they have flaws, and have no problem standing outside and puffing them away. Girls who smoke cigarettes are confident, and they kick ass. Besides, cigarettes are more than just a filthy vicious nicotine addiction. They’re a great vehicle for some quick socialization, they cut stress, they’re great after sex, great after pot, and come on, you know they do look really cool. So keep fighting The Man. If Barack Obama is a cig addict, (seriously) you can be too. Go puff 10 feet from the library and see who has got a problem with it. I’ll come join you. Hell, maybe I can get your number?
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Created by ---TramadoL---
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