Why Cigarette and Smoking Shaming Is Good
By Eric Kim

In today’s society, where wellness and self-care have become paramount, there’s a particular conversation that has yet to reach its full potential: the issue of smoking. Cigarettes, with their addictive allure, continue to tempt millions despite the well-documented risks they pose to health. But in a world where we are constantly promoting better choices—be it through clean eating, regular exercise, or mental health awareness—it feels absurd that smoking still remains somewhat insulated from the full weight of public scrutiny. And yes, I’m talking about smoking shaming.

We need more of it.

Let me explain why.

Smoking Is a Choice That Affects Everyone

First, let’s face the truth: smoking isn’t just a personal choice. Unlike other habits that may be detrimental only to the individual, smoking directly harms others. Secondhand smoke kills. When you smoke in public, you’re subjecting those around you to harmful chemicals, toxins, and carcinogens. The argument that someone should have the “freedom” to smoke wherever they want breaks down when you recognize that your cigarette is impacting others. Shaming, in this case, is a social responsibility. We shame things that are dangerous to society, whether it’s drunk driving, littering, or discriminatory behavior. Why shouldn’t smoking—something that has the potential to kill not just the smoker but innocent bystanders—be on that list?

By making smokers feel the heat of public disapproval, we’re not just protecting ourselves. We’re also holding them accountable for their actions. Smoking in public is a public health issue, and it deserves the kind of societal pushback that makes it clear: this is not acceptable. Cigarette shaming becomes a form of community policing that encourages people to think twice before lighting up.

Smoking Is Outdated, and Shaming Reflects Modern Values

Cigarette shaming is, in many ways, a reflection of a more evolved society. The era where cigarettes were glamorous is over. We now live in a time where longevity, vitality, and health are the true marks of success. What we are witnessing is a cultural shift away from the celebration of self-destructive behaviors and towards an era of self-improvement and mindfulness. In this context, smoking is an anachronism, a relic of a time when we didn’t know better. But now, we do.

The act of smoking shaming serves as a collective reminder that we’ve moved past that. We no longer idolize the chain-smoking movie star. Instead, we admire the person who takes care of their body, exercises regularly, eats well, and cultivates a mind and body in balance. To smoke today is to reject all the modern values we hold dear. It’s a refusal to accept responsibility for your own health, a slap in the face to those who are working hard to live better. So, yes, shaming smokers is good because it reinforces the values we now hold: wellness, longevity, and respect for one’s body and community.

It’s Time to Break the Cycle of Addiction

Here’s another critical angle: shaming can be a powerful tool to break addiction. It may seem counterintuitive, but hear me out. The truth is, addiction thrives on denial, excuses, and social permissiveness. For decades, smokers were enabled by a culture that didn’t question their habit. Smoking was socially acceptable, even cool. But as soon as the narrative shifted—once we started labeling smoking for what it is, a dangerous, dirty habit—the conversation around cigarettes changed.

When we stop making excuses for smokers and instead hold them to higher standards, we make it harder for them to rationalize their addiction. Shaming isn’t about cruelty or judgment; it’s about disrupting the comfort zone. Addictions are fueled by comfort, by environments that allow for the behavior to continue unchallenged. By confronting smokers with the reality of how their behavior is viewed by others, we introduce discomfort, which is often a necessary first step to change.

Tough Love Is Still Love

Some might argue that shaming smokers is too harsh, that it ostracizes people who are already struggling with addiction. But let’s not conflate shaming with cruelty. Tough love is still love. Just like how we might intervene when a loved one is making poor choices with their diet or failing to exercise, smoking shaming can be seen as an act of care. It’s the kind of push people need to reconsider their actions.

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the world. If we truly care about the health of those around us—if we care about the people we pass on the street or share a bus ride with—we should feel compelled to speak up, to discourage smoking in public, and to remind people of the risks they’re choosing to ignore. It’s not about being mean; it’s about saving lives.

Conclusion: A Healthier Future Through Social Accountability

In the end, cigarette shaming is about creating a healthier, more conscientious society. It’s about encouraging accountability for actions that affect not just the individual but the community at large. We already understand the importance of shaming in other contexts where health and safety are on the line—whether it’s driving under the influence, engaging in violence, or promoting hate speech. Why should smoking be treated any differently?

We all have a role to play in shaping public behaviors, and shaming can be a powerful tool in steering society towards better choices. If smoking is one of the last acceptable forms of self-destruction, then it’s time we use the social tools at our disposal to change that. Cigarette shaming is not just good—it’s necessary. It’s a modern response to an outdated habit, one that ultimately promotes a better, healthier future for all.