Smoking, Where It Comes From, And Our Shared Future

Throughout history, humanity has always had a natural pull towards products such as tobacco and other recreational pastimes. Tobacco, for instance, the plant grown in the Americas prior to European colonization, was often used in shamanistic rituals, ceremonies, and as a medicine. The Europeans introduction to tobacco was the beginning of a larger shift, which over time, rose in popularity and is currently used as the primary substance in cigarettes. Cannabis, or the hemp seed it is based on, was also commonly used throughout Africa and the Middle East for recreational purposes. In essence, smoking and the products they are based on have long been embedded in societies’ customs.

In the world we live in today, we have largely forgotten such purposes. No longer does the world use tobacco to summon gods or for medicinal purposes. Rather, we have turned this plant into a recreational pastime that is now an often-used reliant in times of stress or anxiousness. In the United States, we can trace the origins of the commercial cigarette back to the era of industrialization. The P. Lorillard Tobacco Company was founded in the 1760s and produced a number of products, among them chewing tobacco and cigars. It was only after the Civil War that cigarettes as they are commonly known came in full force. During World War I, soldiers would often receive cigarettes in care packages as a way to deal with the shock of war. It was only in the last half century that we have seen an explosion in efforts to try and curb cigarette usage. After extensive research revealed the negative health effects of smoking, New York City became a battleground between those who worked for tobacco companies and those interested in the welfare of the public.^[1]

Under the administration of Michael Bloomberg, NYC mayor, a sweeping effort was undertaken to eliminate smoking in public and its use overall. His Smoke-Free Air Act of 2003 severely curtailed smoking in workplaces as well as in all public spaces. This included restaurants, libraries, museums, malls, hospitals, retail stores and all manner of public transportation. This act was later expanded to include public parks and beaches, addressing all aspects of everyday life throughout the city. Smoking throughout the city dropped as many found it difficult and inconvenient to light up a cigarette in places they used to frequent. As the number of people who smoked declined, governments around the country took notice. ^[2]

It was at this point that the Clean Indoor Air Act was signed into law, spanning the entirety of the state of New York. Its primary purpose is to protect the public from the effects of secondhand smoke and vapor. It particularly targets vapes and ensures that the same spaces protected by the Smoke-Free Air Act are also included.

In time, tobacco companies have adapted to not be undone by public policy. Within the last decade, products like JUUL, e-cigarettes, and vapes have been released, targeting younger and more affluent consumers. Rather than containing the ordinary flavor of tobacco, these products have been released in a number of flavors such as mango, fruit, and mint to entice younger generations to begin using these products. Given the circumstances, many have become addicted and alarmingly dependent. Rather than pass more sweeping legislation to ban all tobacco products and their derivatives, government organizations such as the FDA issued Marketing Denial Orders and began banning the sale of unauthorized flavors. On top of that, states have begun banning individual flavors, such as the aforementioned mint, and increasing taxes on e-cigarette liquids and devices. As a result of all of these efforts, the adult smoking rate has plummeted in the last two decades - down 50% since 2002.

Regardless, e-cigarettes are in high demand and have found widespread adoption. The National Youth Tobacco Survey has estimated that in 2024, over 26.3% of American high school students utilize e-cigarettes daily.^[3] These individuals are not only using it more than their peers did decades ago with cigarettes, they are also reporting more difficulty in quitting. As such, the tobacco industry is seen to be innovating and making sure that the scourge of smoking continues. According to the CDC, there are a number of health side effects that vaping directly has on the body. This includes but is not limited to causing cancer, d

amage to brain development, and exposure to toxic chemicals. 

This epidemic is one reason why I’ve pledged my time and support for a non-profit organization called For Future Lungs NY. Upon entering a high school bathroom, I was immediately greeted with the smell of nicotine. Committed to do something about it, my co-founder Ryan & I were determined with a vision of spreading awareness amongst the public on the dangers of smoking. We seek to educate students that regardless of peer-pressure, or if your friends are doing it, smoking any sort of tobacco or product with nicotine will have long term negative consequences. With a focus on hosting events and community engagement, we are proud to get out into schools and community centers to engage audiences. On November 13, for instance, we hosted an event with a lung cancer survivor to educate students on the long-term impacts of these products. We aim to provide support to those affected by the miseries of smoking and ensure that the next generation is not tied down by the horrors of this long-standing addiction.

Written by: Daniel Tkach and Ryan Weinman

Edited By: Omesh Persaud

Published By: For Future Lungs New York

Citation

[1]. “Big Tobacco in the Big Apple.” The Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society, csts.ua.edu/btba/history/. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026. 

[2]. “Smoke-Free Air Laws.” Smoke-Free Air Laws - NYC Health, www.nyc.gov/site/doh/business/permits-and-licenses/smoke-free-air-act-exemptions-and-registrations.page. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026. 

[3]. Products, Center for Tobacco. “Results from the Annual National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS).” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/results-annual-national-youth-tobacco-survey-nyts?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.