There's an essay floating around that is probably bait, but here we are. It speaks fondly of smoking. The thing is, I lived through the same period the author did and it, in the way nostalgia often does, leaves out some things. Smoking was allowed many places. Not schools, but that was kind of it. Restaurants had sections. There were fans or ventilation to try to keep the smoke contained.
If you went somewhere like a concert, you had to plan for your clothes, your hair, your coat, your pores to reek of smoke. They sold basically hair Febreeze that you could spritz in your hair. Sure you could wash your hair. But sometimes, arriving home at 3am, I wanted to sleep first, but the smoke smell of my hair would be distracting while I was trying to fall asleep. I had a washable coat I wore to concerts, because I didn't want to go to work smelling like smoke all winter.
Sure I had friends and coworkers who smoked. Sure, sometimes it was nice to dip outside with them and chat while they smoked. Unless it was rainy, or windy, or cold.
And here's the thing. I didn't smoke. But smoking was so pervasive, that I had to plan my life around it.
So the indoor smoking bans changed my life completely. My asthma got better. I didn't have to buy scent neutralizer for my hair. I didn't have to shower more often just because I'd been to see a concert.
Now, I assume most people are familiar with the possible dangers of smoking, to themselves and others. But it is worth noting that smoking can help with ADHD.
But honestly, the thing I really miss from those days is not smoking. It's going to concerts for $20. Nowadays that's the surcharge tacked onto your concert ticket.
And if what you really miss, is having an excuse to step outside of work or parties, I have great news. You can just do that.
