Psychology In The News | Is Smoking Here to Stay?

The glamourisation of smoking is making an unexpected comeback in popular culture, with celebrities leading the charge. From Charli XCX's lyrics about cigarettes and Bic lighters to Rosalia's cigarette bouquet gifts, smoking is being repackaged as an aesthetic choice rather than a deadly habit. While ‘brat summer’ might be fading into darker evenings, its influence on smoking culture persists.

This resurgence is particularly visible in the entertainment industry. At New York Fashion Week, models strutted down Christian Cowan's runway with cigarettes in hand. The Oscar-nominated fil, ‘Saltburn’ featured prominent smoking scenes, with actor, Archie Madekwe even requesting cigarette lessons for authenticity. Recent music videos from artists like Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Addison Rae prominently feature smoking, echoing the chic smoking imagery of 90s icons like Kate Moss.

Despite smoking remaining the UK's leading cause of preventable death, claiming nearly 78,000 lives annually, its representation in media continues to grow. According to the Truth Initiative (an American non-profit organisation which aims to reduce smoking in young people) nine out of ten Oscar-nominated films featured smoking scenes this year, an increase from previous years.

While overall smoking rates among young adults have declined significantly over the past decade (from 25% to less than 10%), concerning trends emerge. Cancer Research UK estimates that 350 young people still begin smoking daily in the UK. Interestingly, some young people are rejecting vaping in favour of traditional cigarettes, perceiving them as more sophisticated or authentic.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS!

1. Use your knowledge of Social Learning Theory to analyse this article and consider how it might explain the potential influence of celebrity smoking behaviour on young adults' decision to start smoking.

(a) Consider the impact of mediational processes on young adults’ decision to start smoking.

(b) Using the concept of vicarious reinforcement, analyse how social media posts showing celebrities experiencing positive social outcomes from smoking (such as Rosalia's cigarette bouquet gift to Charli XCX receiving widespread attention and likes) might influence young people's attitudes and behaviours toward smoking.

2. Consider the concept of conformity and analyse how fashion and entertainment industry portrayals of smoking might impact youth attitudes toward tobacco use.

(a) How could normative social influence help to explain this?

(b) How could informational social influence help to explain this?

CHALLENGE: How might cognitive dissonance theory explain why young people might start smoking despite knowing its health risks? (Top tip! You may not have come across this term, research it and apply your knowledge)

References:

Lights, Camera, Tobacco? https://truthinitiative.org/li... (accessed 13.11.24)

'Pack of cigs and a Bic lighter': Why are celebs glamorising smoking again?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/art... (accessed 13.11.24)