Today, Explained

Is smoking back?

May 8, 2026·26 min·5-min readconversationalnews
Podzilla Summary (5 min)
TLDR
Despite declining smoking rates, Gen Z is embracing cigarette imagery as a cultural aesthetic, driven by pop culture and social media, while nicotine in non-combustible forms is gaining traction among wellness influencers as a cognitive enhancer. The episode explores the dissonance betwee

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Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Marnie Rose McFallSarah ToddNoel KingPaul NewhouseAndrew HubermanJason NguyenRobert F. Kennedy Jr.

Companies

Vanderbilt UniversityAthletic NicotineStatNewsweek

Topics

Political NewsPop Culture

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