Scientists studied nationally representative survey data. Based on this, they estimated that less than 10% of U.S. adults smoked a cigarette in 2024—the first time this rate has ever dropped to single digits.
I’ve gone through a few addictions in my life, might even have a couple right now, but I never took up smoking, and it is one the things I am most grateful for in my life. I’ve seen so many people struggle with it for years, and I’m glad I never had to deal with it.
When I was a kid, all the adults said “Stay in school kid.” So I graduated.
Then as a teenager, they said “Don’t take up smoking”. So I didn’t.
Then as a young adult they said “Don’t become an alcoholic”. So I didn’t.
I figure if basically every person of a certain age group is all saying the same thing, there must be truth in those words.
Now they’re all elderly, and I’m 42, and they’re saying “Don’t get old, kid”.
…what do I do? Am I supposed to commit suicide? Is there some magic fountain of youth I don’t know about? WHAT DO THEY WANT FROM MEEEEEE???
Psst. It’s exercise and eating well.
Of course, they only help for so long. My dad seemed 45 until he was 70, and it all caught up with him. Now he’s a 75 year old who seems it, but he’s still in better shape than most people his age
Cut to an 80s training montage featuring idiomaddict’s 75 year old father trying to eat raw eggs, and chase a bicycle down the street, and run up a large flight of stairs…except again, he’s 75. So he tries drinking the eggs, and starts coughing/choking. He’s wobbling down the street with one of those rollaiders, and trying to climb some stone steps very slowly.
And despite zero hints or clues to idiomaddict’s background, I’m imagining their 75 year old dad as an elderly jewish man. So when he’s trying to drink the eggs, he’s like “Bah, who drinks eggs like this? Why not scramble them? They’d make a good omlette! It’s a waste of eggs to drink like this!”
And when he’s chasing the bicycle, very slowly, he’s like why are you going so fast? You got places to be? Go on! Live your life! You don’t need an old man like me holding me back!" And then idiomaddict walks up like “uh, no, dad. That guy just stole a bike…”
And then as he’s going up the white stone stairs, there’s a cameo from the school house rock bill. Who’s just singing his song in the background…BUT NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO BE COPYRIGHT STRIKED!!!
I’m very good at this.
It’s not so far off.
Though now that I think about it, I can’t believe I didn’t mention that he stopped drinking and smoking at 26. That’s probably at least as important for the aging process
Old is largely a state of mind. Everyone ages, but not everyone gets old
That’s great news! As an ex-smoker, I struggled for years to quit. And I still crave one every now and then. I’ve been clean for 12+ years. Sometimes I think, I’ll start smoking a pipe, or cigars, that’s classy right? But as soon as that nicotine hits my bloodstream it’s all over. I’d be hooked again.
STOP CLICK BAITING ME
I DO NOT CONSENT
I DO NOT CONSENT
I DO NOT CONSENT
You know you want it, sweetie.
No, not particularly.
Thankfully, there’s usually one person in the comments who braves the bullshit to bring the actual meat of the article. I was going to, but I see someone already quoted the main point.
Now that i think about it, I don’t know a single person who smokes. Not one. Including all the old people i know. I know a couple of people who smoke like less than a pack per year, which is fine. It so hard to believe i don’t know even a single smoker. Mind blowing.
Which state are you in?
NYC
Same, I encountered a coworker who did a while back and it was weird to me, which is a good sign I think. Even 10-15 years ago smokers at work were normal. I think I its truly down to minimal in the states.
In Europe though man is it thick
