Pop culture embraces smoking as ‘cool’ again — and Gen Z youth are watching – Yahoo

Report on Youth Smoking Trends and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

This report analyzes current smoking trends among Generation Z, highlighting significant public health achievements in line with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), while also identifying emerging threats that could jeopardize this progress.

Analysis of Current Smoking Trends and Public Health Achievements

Recent data indicates a substantial decline in smoking rates, representing a major success for public health initiatives and a significant step toward achieving key targets within the Sustainable Development Goals framework.

Gen Z Smoking Rates: A Historic Low

According to 2024 data from the CDC and FDA, Generation Z has reported the lowest smoking rates on record. This achievement is part of a broader trend over the past two decades that has seen overall smoking rates in the U.S. population decline to approximately 11.9%. The reduction is particularly stark among high school students, where rates have fallen from around one-third in the mid-to-late 1990s to less than 3% today.

Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This decline in tobacco use is a direct contribution to achieving SDG 3, particularly the following targets:

• Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through prevention and treatment. Lower smoking rates directly decrease the future incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory diseases.
• Target 3.a: Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The observed reduction in smoking is evidence of the success of such control measures.

Emerging Threats to Sustainable Development Goal 3

Despite positive trends, the progress toward SDG 3 is threatened by the re-normalization of smoking in popular culture and the persistent use of e-cigarettes among youth.

The Role of Pop Culture and Social Media

A “pop-culture revival” of smoking is emerging, which risks re-igniting a harmful association between cigarettes and coolness, particularly among vulnerable youth. This trend is amplified through social media, where “cigfluencers” and celebrity imagery normalize smoking. This cultural shift directly undermines public health education efforts and poses a significant risk to the long-term health outcomes central to SDG 3.

The Rise of E-Cigarettes

While traditional cigarette use is low, approximately 8% of Gen Z teens use e-cigarettes. This presents a complex challenge to public health and SDG 3 for several reasons:

1. The long-term health effects of vaping are not yet fully understood.
2. E-cigarette use can serve as a gateway to traditional tobacco smoking.
3. The marketing of e-cigarettes, often featuring youth-friendly flavors, continues to attract young users.

Health Implications and Repercussions for SDG 3

The health consequences of tobacco use are severe and directly contradict the mission of SDG 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of NCDs, which are the primary focus of SDG Target 3.4. Documented health risks include:

• Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)
• Increased risk for numerous types of cancer
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attacks and strokes
• Aortic aneurysms and peripheral vascular disease

Broader Health and Well-being Impacts

Beyond major NCDs, smoking negatively affects overall well-being through oral health problems, pregnancy complications, sexual dysfunction, and adverse mental health effects, further impeding the holistic vision of SDG 3.

Recommendations for Upholding SDG 3

To protect the public health gains and ensure continued progress toward SDG 3, a vigilant and multi-faceted approach is required.

Policy and Regulatory Measures

Strengthening the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (SDG Target 3.a) is critical. Recommended actions include:

1. Banning smoking in public places.
2. Raising tobacco taxes to discourage use.
3. Increasing funding for smoking cessation programs.
4. Enforcing strict regulations on advertising and sales to minors.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The entire article revolves around public health issues related to smoking. It discusses the success in reducing smoking rates as a “great public health success story” and expresses concern about a potential reversal of this trend, which would negatively impact the health and well-being of the population, especially Gen Z.
• It details numerous health risks associated with smoking, such as “chronic obstructive lung disease,” “cancer,” “coronary artery disease,” “heart attacks and strokes,” and “pregnancy harms,” all of which are central to ensuring healthy lives.
• The article also highlights the vulnerability of young people (“adolescents and young adults”) to marketing and social media influences that promote smoking, directly connecting to the goal of promoting well-being for all at all ages.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
  • The article directly addresses this target by focusing on smoking as a primary cause of non-communicable diseases. It mentions that smoking can lead to “chronic obstructive lung disease,” “cancer,” “coronary artery disease,” “heart attacks and strokes.” The reduction in smoking is framed as a preventative measure to reduce mortality from these diseases.
• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
  • Tobacco is a substance of abuse. The article discusses the risk of “hooking a new generation on smoking,” the use of e-cigarettes among youth (“around 8% of Gen Z teens use e-cigarettes”), and the need for “cessation programs.” These points are all related to the prevention and treatment of tobacco dependence.
• Target 3.a: Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate.
  • The article concludes by recommending several key tobacco control measures that are central to this WHO framework. Dr. Schluger is a proponent of “banning smoking in public places, raising tobacco taxes, increasing funding for cessation programs, and cracking down on illegal advertising and sales to minors.” The discussion of social media influencers (“@Cigfluencers”) also points to the challenge of controlling tobacco advertising and promotion.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Prevalence of tobacco use: The article provides several specific statistics that serve as direct indicators.
  • The overall smoking rate in the U.S. population is “about 11.9%.”
  • The smoking rate among high-schoolers has dropped from “around one-third… in the mid- to late-90s” to “less than 3% today.”
  • The smoking rate for Gen Z is reported as the “lowest smoking rates on record in 2024.”
  • The rate of e-cigarette use among Gen Z teens is “around 8%.”
• Age of initiation for smoking: The article implies this is a key indicator for prevention efforts by stating, “Over 90% of long-term smokers started before the age of 18.” Tracking this metric would measure the success of preventing youth from starting to smoke.
• Implementation of tobacco control policies: While not providing a numerical indicator, the article implies that the existence and enforcement of policies are key measures of progress. It mentions the need for “banning smoking in public places, raising tobacco taxes, increasing funding for cessation programs, and cracking down on illegal advertising and sales to minors.” The number of followers on social media accounts promoting smoking, like “@Cigfluencers” with “more than 83,000 followers,” could be used as an inverse indicator of the effectiveness of advertising controls.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: yahoo.com