Smoking.
From Mod Mania
Task One: Consumer Communities 1 Zachary Beal s3237520
Smoking.
Sprung from early religious ceremonies dating back as far as 5000BC, smoking literally took the world by storm. Due to European exploration and conquest of the Americas, tobacco was spread quickly and the fine practice of smoking was virtually global. This new social activity created by the cigarette seemed to resonate within people from all walks of life. In the small world in which we live now, smoking has become quite at home. Globally more than one billion people smoke, evenly spread though the majority of all human societies. Industrially manufactured cigarettes have become easily accessible and are cheap to produce. How has something, now deemed in our society as dangerous and the cause of many diseases, been allowed to thrive and continue in mass production? And why do people still smoke in the light of the evidence that has been found in recent times?
Interesting patterns have been formed surrounding the perception of smoking throughout time. Seen as holy in some cultures, evil by others, smoking has been constantly viewed in varying lights. In the Victorian era smoking a pipe was considered to be gentlemanly and give an air of sophistication however in other cultures, in other countries, it may be seen as vulgar. With modern medical studies, it is proven to be a deadly hazard to our health, however in the past it had been viewed as a panacea, curing disease and giving immortality.
Due to heath concerns, political pressuring, and the western society we live in, cigarettes have had high taxes imposed on them. In an attempt to curb the numbers of people smoking, campaigns are launched annually and billions of dollars are spent on anti smoking adverting. However there are considerable reasons why billions of people smoke, and play little regard to the constant warnings. Firstly smoking is an addictive pastime. By burning the cigarette, the nicotine becomes an active substance and can be absorbed by the lungs. The reasons for smoking are varied and complex. The mixture of the addictive nicotine and the desire to smoke often outweigh the option to stop. People who smoke enjoy the nicotine in the cigarette, and many also see it as a enjoyable activity in a social environment. There are connoisseurs who enjoy the taste of a fine Cuban cigar as much as a fine bottle of wine.
Cigarettes have had an intriguing advertising history. During the 19 Century stereotypically, cigarettes were advertised towards men. Smoking in public, for example, had been reserved for men during the Victorian times. If a woman would smoke in public it was perceived as associated with promiscuity. Early adverting run in the 1870's started placing collectable cards in each packet of cigarettes. This medium was used in world war 1 and 2, and spread heavily as cigarettes were heavily subsidises or free. This spread cigarettes around the world, and as they were free and seen as an incentive, a way of giving 'hope' to the soldiers. As an outcome many people became heavily addicted after the war. Prominent advertising around the 1950's and 60's still included a sexist stance. The 'Marlboro man' was conceived in 1954 as a way to turn filtered cigarettes, perceived as feminine, into a male orientated product. Turning Marlboro's old advertisements like 'Mild as May', this masculine cowboy image transformed the cigarette. To sustain the image of a masculine product many companies like Marlboro turned to male dominated sport for sponsorship. Formula One auto racing and other car racing was heavily sponsored by the cigarette industry. Other male dominated sports such as snooker, darts and rugby league were also sponsored by cigarettes. Gradually cigarette advertising has been banned around the world, with health warning labels becoming mandatory for each deck. On the 27th February 2005 the European Union in conjunction with the World Heath Organisation banned tobacco adverting in the 168 countries in the treaty. These steps taken to curb the numbers of people getting addicted to smoking are strong signs of its place in modern society.
There are diverse social structures within the broad term of 'smoking'. Various social groups and cultures can be distinguished though subtle differences in the way they smoke, and how there cultures have interpreted different forms of smoking. In the Middle East a popular past time for much of the population is Hookah. Liking drinking a coffee, you sit in a Hookah lounge. The idea is to relax and take turns smoking a large water pipe with many smoking hoses around it. The tobacco is flavoured to make the smoke taste of various flavours. In America, being the height of western society, they have spread the mass produced cigarettes via adverting and other platforms. This has dictated that, in most western societies they smoke cigarettes. However the use of chewing tobacco, used predominately in the south of USA, is distinctly an American habit within western society. Here in Australasia we can make assumptions on the basis of what products certain people smoke. Rolling tobacco and papers are the cheapest form of smoking. At $16 this will roll around 100 cigarettes. The next is a carton of cigarettes costing around $14 for 25 cigarettes. There are expensive brands of high class cigarettes which can cost upwards of $50. Cigars are valued at around $40 each, but can reach upwards of $300 for the best. These automatically mean that there is a structure and hierarchy with the products themselves. All over the world people have interpreted smoking in different ways; Cigars, Snus, Beedi, Cigarettes, Kreteks, Dipping tobaccos, Gutka are just to name a phew. All these cultures have adapted ways to smoke tobacco. This excludes all the other forms of smoking that can be possible.
The diversity within other cultures have been connected with each other via the internet and globalization, which has allowed for a huge product market to be born. From hand blown glass bongs, to industrially manufactured grinders all the way to 'Bongbath' and other products. Guides on the internet detail how to make various smoking apparatus. Bamboo bongs, originating in Asia, can be made from a length of bamboo. These cheap but easily made ways to smoke are often incorporated and mixed to create interesting products. By placing holes on the side of a coke can, it can be used at a pipe. Gatorade drinking bottles and a length of garden hose can be modified to make a water bong. Light bulbs can be modified to become a vaporiser. Even apples can be hollowed to become small fruit pipes. Smoking paraphernalia has influenced the way individuals associate and partake in the act of smoking, and some quite inventive solutions have been found.
Smoking has grown into culture at many levels. Consumer demand has given rise to various products of all values. Hand crafted wooden Victorian pipes, at auction fetch prices well into the thousands, and are fascinating objects of beauty and history. This contrasted with using recycled materials to create free, cheap and easy made smoking equipment shows the diversity of how smoking has become so popular and adapted thought out time. The act of smoking has been captivated in various parts of our music, film, literature and art culture.
Smoking is available to all, and generates billions of dollars anally. By taxing them heavily in some countries, prices can be kept down in others to ensure they are affordable. In Vietnam a packet of cigarettes is 7,000 Dong, roughly 70c Australian. This system ensures everyone has tobacco that is affordable to them. Pictured in favourable light or not smoking has been around for a long time and will continue to operate for it has deep roots in our society, and indeed all cultures around the world.
