Step, step, drag. . . step, step drag. . . step, step drag. . .

No this is not the rhythm to a dance, this was the rhythm to the woman walking in front of me today continuously smoking her cigarette. It made me chuckle while simultaneously shaking my head in disgust that she must smoke AT LEAST one pack a day if she continues that rhythm for the whole day.

Yet she is just one example of what seems to be happening with everyone around me. Since when was it again ‘Cool’ to smoke cigarettes? I see it everywhere, from people of every age, and an astounding number of my generation. Correct me if I’m wrong, but for those of us in the 20-35 age group, did we not have the fight against Joe Camel? I distinctly remember entering a poster making contest in elementary school about putting Joe Camel in jail! Are we not the generation that has grown up with more anti-tobacco adverts than ever!? And yet now it’s OK to smoke!?

I had friends in college who started smoking, claiming they only smoked, ‘when I’m drunk’, and that they weren’t actually addicted – they could quit whenever they want. . . I’m pretty sure this habit has extended post-drinking – sure you’re not addicted?

I must hear or see at least five commercials or adverts on smoking and it’s dangers a day. The havoc it reeks on your body is tremendous (trust me, I’ve seen the lungs in a cadaver lab) and no dopamine high is worth it. So why then is EVERYBODY doing it? You can make as many excuses as you want – tell me it’s only when you’re stressed, that you’re just doing it to lose weight, blah, blah, blah – none of them are good or legitimate excuses.

Now here I go making a ‘west coaster’ bias, but I swear I did not see that many people smoking out west. And no, I am not just referring to Utah (definitely an anomaly state), but to Washington State, California, Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming, etc. Yet in my travels to Europe I have seen a ton of people smoking (especially in France and Italy) . It’s as though the farther east you go the more smokers you find.

I have seen smokers of all types. The fashionista with her DD in one hand, cigarette dangling gently from her other. The ‘badass’ with his pants so low he looks as though he has ridden a horse for the past five days straight, taking long drags to then blow out big billowing clouds. The mom (& nanny) smoking as they push along their little one (um, secondhand smoke issues?).  But my favorite has to be the women I have seen lighting up after walking out of the gym (or to it). I am fairly certain you have just canceled out any good you have done (or were going to do). Oh, and you look absolutely ridiculous trying to be ‘cool’ in your Lulu Lemon and likewise ‘cool’ with that puff of smoke around your head.

New York, I’m sorry, but I have finally found something to disenchant me a bit.