Pop culture embraces smoking as 'cool' again — and Gen Z youth are watching

Despite a decline in teen smoking rates to under 3%, health experts express concern over a resurgence of smoking in pop culture, which they fear could reverse progress. Approximately 90% of long-term smokers begin smoking before the age of 18, highlighting the potential risks for Gen Z youth who are influenced by this trend. The revival of smoking as a 'cool' activity in media may undermine efforts to reduce smoking among young people.