Changing Attitude Toward Smoking

Personally I see nothing glamorous about smoking. I understand in the past that because aspirational characters and movie stars were pictured smoking, it was associated with glamour, but nowadays with the knowledge we have of the detrimental consequences it has on a) health, and b) a persons looks, i believe it no longer has the same image or appeal. Actually I think it's now mostly something smokers say to convince themselves their habit doesn't make them less attractive.



Supermodels are sometimes linked with smoking, i.e. "living on a diet of steak, champagne & cigarettes", as well as the whole 'heroin chic' look championed by... Kate Moss - enough said.

I therefore thought it was interesting that during series 9 of Americas Next Top Model, supermodel host Tyra Banks banned all contestants from smoking. On top of this she decided on a photoshoot for the girls based on the consequences of smoking. The girls were shown looking glamorous whilst smoking in front of a mirror. Their reflections in the mirror saw each girl depicting one of the consequences of smoking, for example premature ageing, chemotherapy, and throat cancer.

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/americas-next-top-model/americas-next-top-model-episod-11606.aspx

I think this reflects a changing attitude from the modelling industry. I started modelling last year (nothing high fashion I'm not skinny enough) and the message i hear is that smoking is a no no. Models now have more options as far as prolonging their career, it isn't all over at 25 anymore, so it is vital that they stay looking good long term.

Models and movie stars are figures many aspire to be like, so hopefully the connection between glamour and smoking will continue to fade.