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Europe isn’t a country. Smoking rates vary place to place.
But if we’re going to generalize, yes, smoking rates are higher in Europe as a whole. A couple random reasons:
Rates are only marginally higher in the EU. Eurostat data shows that cigarettes + e-devices combined resulted in c.21-22%, whist CDC data states it is just shy of 20% in the US.
I also don't know if all of the above are fair points. Not sure if smoking is seen as more trashy in the US, it is more related to class. Smoking blue collar workers are seen as "trashier" in both places, whilst someone in a suit would not look the same. Same for anti-smoking campaigns; they started in the early 1970s (in line with the US) across Northern Europe and only lagged in Southern Europe (similarly to less developed US states). Tobacco is cheaper in Eastern Europe, but that is comparable to Mexican or Central American tobacco which gets smuggled by the tonnes into the US.
Finally, the US is also not "a single country" by that logic since state-level rates vary; you have close to 25% use amongst adults in places like Kentucky / West Virginia and less than 10% in California or Utah.
Overall, rates are not vastly different and I think the lack of major differences is due to many cultural similarities between the regions. If you look at a totally different part of the world, especially culturally, c.30% of adults in ASEAN countries smoke. Now that's a major difference.
…my man, what?
You’re just arguing to argue. More than half of the points you made just agree with mine even if you present them as opposing.
A few thing hear don’t make sense.
I feel like a lot of people smoke in NYC as well. Even though they carry the most expensive cigarettes in the country.
what u talking about. Every other Gen Z and younger millenials are bringing back tobacco (and techno) after their month long stint in Berlin
I feel like we've been bringing cigarettes back. A lot of people are starting to do it again and there's still nothing better after a coupla beers.
CRE made good points, I'd also point out that while smoking is very present in much of Europe, here in the US I've seen far more vaping and e cig stuff in recent decades compared to Europe. People love Tobacco, regardless of nationallity.
probably because European cultures revolve more around gathering at cafes or outdoor with friends, starting from adolescence, so they pick it up from others / see it at other tables
Americans usually meet in groups to do some sort of activity: hiking, partying, excursion, etc. rather than sitting on a chair for hours and just talk (and when they do, it's indoors or at some family-oriented chain that doesn't allow smoking)
because many adolescents that pick up smoking don't do it after seeing the garbage man at a corner smoking and questioning his life, they will see some group having fun and smoking, and will want to replicate that in their lives / pick up habits and the style of that group
God forbid a European catch a vibe
,
culture fit
Among my friends, I am literally the only person who doesn't smoke. Every single friend I have is a heavy smoker or now into vaping. It's sad, but Europe is like that IMO.
del
It's probably because their packs are more entertaining. Nothing screams "buy me" quite like a pair of disintegrated lungs on a pack of cigs. In the States all we have are these boring ass white boxes.
Better advertising = more sales
Stupidity?
Come back to Fordham Mr. Gekko
Maybe you should go to your firm's rooftop or smoke area after lunch hours... Also cigs in Europe and Asia (especially Japan) are so much better than the ones we have here quality and aesthetic wise
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