Are cigarettes really creeping back into the mainstream for Gen Z?YPulse just reported on whether Gen Z’s cigarette flirtation is as big as headlines claim. Our data shows the number of 18-24-year-olds who’ve never smoked has slightly decreased since 2019—but it’s far from a full-blown habit revival. Instead, it’s more of a “little treat” reserved strictly for nights out or occasional experimentation. One young smoker explained to The Wall Street Journal that, “Smoking is one of the last socially acceptable ways to loiter,” framing the habit as more social than an addicting vice. On TikTok, creators are noting the aesthetic value: a slim cigarette fits a vibe that a chunky, USB-shaped vape never could. To Gen Z, cigs can signal cool intentional messiness, like brat summer energy. (WSJ)
👀 Read more from YPulse: Is Gen Z Really Bringing Cigarettes Back?
