• shalafi@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    US here. I don’t think we get enough credit for our anti-smoking culture, and given that Hollywood is a major culture driver…

    Even in my poor little town, where the broke and uneducated smoke more, it’s getting to be where I’m a little taken aback when I see someone smoking in public.

    All this coming from a guy that smoked for 20+ years. The culture shift has been dramatic and I hope we’re exporting it.

    • digdilem@lemmy.ml
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      19 hours ago

      The UK has seen a stratospheric drop too. Banned from all non-private indoor spaces, taxed through the roof. At least in the South, it’s rare to see or even smell someone smoking now, even on TV. Although in some cities it’s just as likely to smell cannabis as tobacco.

      I don’t think you’re “exporting it” though - it’s not an American initiative. This was a pretty universal shift of “why the fuck do we do this stupid shit?”

    • LalSalaamComrade@lemmy.ml
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      2 days ago

      There are plenty of countries doing better in smoking in terms of relative change, like Peru, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Norway, etc - there’s a whole lot of them. The net drop in smoking is about 32% in the US, compared to these countries, which have a much higher drop - indicating the effectiveness of their anti-smoking campaign.

      In fact, countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Panama, Ethiopia and Turkmenistan are doing really well, with less than 6% of the population smoking.

      • jaybone@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        I’m a smoker in the US. It seems like a hell of a lot less than 6% of people here smoke. I don’t think I have a single family member or friend who still smokes. Feels like it’s just me.

    • Dharma Curious (he/him)@slrpnk.net
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      2 days ago

      For what it’s worth, I’ve also noticed the same thing where I live in Tennessee. Smoked for 21 years (from 11 to 32), and while there are still a ton of smokers in my little hick town, it’s much less than before.

    • Enoril@jlai.lu
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      2 days ago

      When does it started ? Do you have law prohibiting smoking in public place like restaurant, transports, nigth club, office, etc ?

      Because, while it’s true we see less smokers in movies, it’s the first time i hear US having a anti-smoking culture… Note that I include drugs like weed in the smoking culture and we heard a lot from it recently. And only from US.

      On my country, since the 90’, it’s forbiden to smoke in public place, in the office, etc. They also increased a lot it’s price bia taxes, put labels on the packaging and the amount of smokers reduced a lot since. But hollywood still represent us as smoker ^^

      • Taser@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        2 days ago

        When does it started ? Do you have law prohibiting smoking in public place like restaurant, transports, nigth club, office, etc ?

        Pretty much this. From the late 80’s more and more smoking bans were put into place. Public buildings, any private business, public transport, etc.

        It’s at the point now that the only places you can smoke are your own house (even the apartment buildings I’ve been to have no smoking rules. Like, even in your own apartment) or outside (as long as it’s x feet/meters away from a building’s entrance).

    • moonlight@fedia.io
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      2 days ago

      Really? I’m in my 20s, and pretty much everyone I know smokes. I think it’s just less acceptable to smoke alone or in public.

    • Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Also US, we’re definitely not exhibiting an “anti smoking” culture. I think you’re confusing what you’re exposed to to what is really going on in the world. It’s important to recognize the limitations of your perspective, and not confuse them for a national trend

    • ddplf@szmer.info
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      2 days ago

      I think I’d be more happy with my compatriots abusing cigarettes and not drugs. US has massive narcotic consumption problem and cigarettes I’d call the mildest of this subgroup.

        • ddplf@szmer.info
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          2 days ago

          Wait, you mean to say that strong drugs are less harmful than cigs and tame drugs?

          And that alcohol is in the same category as cocaine or meth?

          • NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io
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            2 days ago

            The other way around and yes, pretty much. I mean it’s probably a bit below cocaine but like yeah, that shit is bad.

            • ddplf@szmer.info
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              2 days ago

              First thing - you really confused the signs

              Second thing - you really have no idea what you’re talking about.

              Alcohol is definitely a menace to society, but the strongest alcohol a man can drink (like absinth, not methanol) will be much less devastating than cocaine or meth after one dose. Not to mention some other vile drugs like the russian krokodil.

              • NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io
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                2 days ago

                I mean does the harm per dose really matter? They’re both extremely addictive hard drugs that can literally kill you if you use them irresponsibly. Again, I know cocaine is worse, but not to an extent that warrants different treatment. Cocaine would also likely be safer (though probably still more dangerous as alcohol, I admittedly don’t know enough to say much here) if it was socially accepted like alcohol.