It’s hard to fathom today, but there was once a time when smoking was as ubiquitous as smartphones are now. Boomers lit their cigarettes almost anywhere—from the privacy of their homes to the most unlikely public spaces. This fascinating journey back to a smoke-filled era offers a vivid glimpse into a world where “no smoking” signs were as rare as a disconnected cell phone. Let’s explore 20 unbelievable places where boomers used to enjoy their tobacco.
In Movie Theaters
Can you believe it? Boomers used to enjoy their cigarettes right in the cinema seats. While the screen lit up with the latest drama or comedy, the audience contributed their own smoke effects, making movie nights an immersive experience. Imagine the silhouette of smoke rising against the projector light!
On Airplanes
Five decades ago, the friendly skies were filled with more than just clouds; they were clouded with cigarette smoke. Flyers were often seen enjoying a smoke as they crossed time zones, with ashtrays built into the armrests. It’s fascinating how nonchalantly people used to light up at 30,000 feet!
Hospitals
Smoking in hospitals was commonplace, with doctors and nurses joining patients for a drag. You could find ashtrays in waiting rooms and sometimes even near patient beds. It’s a stark contrast to the health-conscious environment we expect in medical facilities today.
Grocery Stores
Imagine shopping for vegetables and cigarettes at the same time. Boomers could smoke while perusing aisles, leaving a trail of smoke between the produce and frozen sections. It must have made for some interesting flavor profiles!
High School Classrooms
Even educational environments weren’t off-limits. Teachers might light a cigarette while discussing Shakespeare or calculus, filling the room with more than just knowledge. It certainly added a different layer to school-day memories!
Buses and Trains
Imagine hopping on public transit where the air was not only stuffy but also smoky. Commuters used to enjoy their cigarettes or cigars during their travels, filling buses and train carriages with a lingering fog. Each journey was a communal experience of sharing both space and smoke. Quite the social smoke session, wouldn’t you say?
At the Bank
Picture handling your banking needs while surrounded by smoke. Customers and tellers alike would often light up, enveloping the space in a haze. This smoky backdrop to financial transactions added a rather pungent layer to the already stressful atmosphere of bank queues. You’d think the “loan rates” were choking enough!
Elevators
Short rides in an elevator were often clouded with smoke, as if the lift was a small mobile smoking room. Being stuck between floors meant inhaling more than just the tension of close quarters—there was no escape until the doors opened. That really elevated the smoking experience!
Post Offices
Mailing a letter or package often came with a complimentary whiff of tobacco. Both postal workers and customers contributed to the smoky ambiance, turning the post office into a much less breathable space. Sending smoke signals suddenly takes on a new meaning!
Maternity Wards
Strangely enough, even maternity wards were not exempt from the smoke-filled norm. It was common for new fathers to light a celebratory cigar right in the ward. Talk about a smoky start to new life!
Restaurants
Eating out was frequently a smoky affair. Despite having designated smoking areas, the boundaries between smoke and clear air were often blurred. The mixture of food aromas and cigarette smoke created a unique dining atmosphere that’s hard to swallow nowadays.
Libraries
Libraries, the sanctuaries of silence and study, often had a haze of cigarette smoke hanging over the readers. Patrons could browse books and puff away, making the library a hotspot for both knowledge seekers and smoke rings. Quite the literary atmosphere!
Sporting Events
Fans at sporting events didn’t have to miss a single play to enjoy a smoke. Whether it was a chilly outdoor stadium or a covered arena, the air was often thick with both cheers and smoke. Pass the lighter along with the peanuts!
Concert Halls
Concerts were once soundtracked not just by music but by the constant lighting of cigarettes. Audiences enjoyed live performances enveloped in a smoky haze, adding a visceral layer to the already electrifying atmosphere of live music.
Retail Stores
Imagine trying on clothes in a boutique where the air was as filled with smoke as it was with the latest fashion trends. Shoppers and staff smoked freely, ensuring that every garment came with a hint of nicotine. A truly “fashionable” smoke screen!
Beauty Salons
Beauty salons weren’t just about hair sprays and perms; they also doubled as smoking areas. Clients and stylists could smoke while discussing hairstyles or the latest gossip, blending beauty treatments with cigarette breaks. Talk about smoking hot looks!
Museums
Even museums, those bastions of culture and history, were not immune to the era of indoor smoking. Visitors could contemplate art while contributing to the ambient smoke, perhaps adding a literal layer to the aging of artworks. Viewing art through a haze—quite the perspective!
Corporate Offices
Corporate decisions and business meetings often took place in smoke-filled rooms, where executives negotiated and strategized through clouds of smoke. Each office could easily double as a smoker’s lounge, making networking a bit more asphyxiating.
Beaches
Sunbathing and smoking were common pairings at the beach. Vacationers would alternate dips in the ocean with drags on their cigarettes, contributing to a slightly more polluted seaside experience—not exactly the fresh air one hopes for at the beach!
Homes
Homes were not just family gathering spots; they were all-out smoking zones. From living rooms to even bedrooms, adults smoked freely, making indoor air quality reminiscent of a bar rather than a family space. Every family visit was a smoky affair—truly a “warm” welcome!
