Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it me or is smoking cigarettes becoming cool again?

143 replies

Sonato · 12/04/2026 14:46

Just that really.

Seems like its coming back as an aesthetic, bit worrying for the younguns but also has me itching to light up having packed in 20 odd years ago

OP posts:
Ikeameatballs · 12/04/2026 15:26

Yes, DSS is 26 and he and his similarly aged girlfriend both smoke and would otherwise be described as “cool”. It’s awful.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 12/04/2026 15:23

Not where I am.

tequilam0ckingbird · 12/04/2026 15:22

Yes, I spotted this recently. I had to push past a load of smokers outside a bar over easter weekend. I thought it was weird as this has not happened for years.

CloudPop · 12/04/2026 15:20

Smoking is very common amongst university students

Slupeyisinteresting · 12/04/2026 15:20

Def see this amongst the young uns on insta

Firesidechatter · 12/04/2026 15:20

I was at a show a few weeks ago and lots of twenty somethings there and a load smoking outside. It just looked a bit grubby and desperate as it always did. Just the folks doing it, having that last draw before going in don’t realise it.

also these weren’t young people with a lot of money, and obvs all hooked, I felt a bit surprised and sad for them. As I used to smoke and it’s a bastard to stop.

Tacohill · 12/04/2026 15:16

Oh no!
I have not seen hardly anyone smoking and thought it was dying out.

Selfishly, as an ex smoker I really liked the fact that hardly anyone was smoking actual cigarettes anymore as it meant less temptation for me.

drusilla49 · 12/04/2026 15:10

I was at an event at a Jazz festival last night. Massive age range, but loads of cool young things there, and even I was surprised at the amount of them who smoked.

IfyouStealMySunshine · 12/04/2026 15:07

Definitely op!

My mum said this to me a couple of months ago and I dismissed it at the time but since that conversation I’ve seen a huge increase of it especially on instagram, lots of captions such as ‘Name a better feeling’ and it’s a video of someone smoking at a cafe with wine/coffee in the sun. I don’t interact with these posts and just scroll past so shouldn’t see the amount I do but makes me think they’re trying to saturate the market.

I googled as to whether cigarette companies send products to influencers and they do. I don’t think they’re technically allowed to tag the tobacco companies in due to banned advertising but it’s enough to get their products out there.

I also thought in Stranger things that dd and I have just watched how much smoking was in there - I know it was more a reflection of the times but are they also subsidising TV and film production?

All I know is there’s definitely more of a presence of them on screen. In real life though I haven’t noticed a huge change.

Hayxfever · 12/04/2026 15:01

Its disgusting an awful habit to have it stinks and pricy.
However im a smoker myself its a choice to do it.

MissCooCooMcgoo · 12/04/2026 15:00

It's about time we just banned tobacco in all forms imo. And I'm an ex smoker.

Revolting smelly habit that will kill you. I don't understand it.

Definetelynotanathlete · 12/04/2026 14:59

I had the same conversation with my DC yesterday. Apparently vaping is on the way out and cigarettes are more cool now. I don’t know why and who starts this trend. I’m not fan of either but I really hate the smell of cigarette smoke

InALonelyWorld · 12/04/2026 14:58

According to a recent email i had, Vaping is soon to be taxed from October so prices are doubling at my local vape shop taking £20 small 100ml bottles of vape liquid to over £100, so it likely wont be cool for much longer. People moving back to smoking will likely be seen as cheaper and ultimately "in trend" again over the next few months.

MayaPinion · 12/04/2026 14:51

It’s probably a symbol of wealth. I think a pack comes in about £20 these days 😬

Original poster
Sonato · 12/04/2026 14:49

The JFK and CBK tv show didnt help!

You forget how common it was in the 90s

OP posts:
WonderingWanda · 12/04/2026 14:48

I expect it's because being skinny is back in. I skinny when I smoked. Unfortunately, when I quite I discovered sugar.

BoogieTownTop · 12/04/2026 14:47

What a bloody shame if it is!

Worrieddancemum · 12/04/2026 14:47

Yes I keep seeing young influencers smoking on insta etc! Definitely seems to be coming back as a cool aesthetic

Swipe left for the next trending thread