More and more smokers are becoming social pariahs. They have to stand on the street in the rain outside restaurants, bars, pubs and even their own cars (if their kids are inside). And while I don’t mind this, being a non-smoker, it does strike me as strange that in years gone by smoking was seen not only as cool and sophisticated but acceptable for all ages.

Vintage photo of children smoking

Boys smoking, 1949

Man smoking through his tear duct after having an operation on his nose

Man smoking through his tear duct after having an operation on his nose, 1938

Smoking billboard for Camel cigarettes

Smoking billboard for Camel cigarettes, Times Square 1948

Lighting each other's cigarettes 1932

Lighting each other’s cigarettes 1932

Monkey smoking in an Amsterdam zoo, 1958

Monkey smoking in an Amsterdam zoo, 1958

Cigarette machine delivering lit cigarettes, 1930s

Cigarette machine delivering lit cigarettes, 1930s

Smoking boy in a playground, 1950s

Smoking boy in a playground, 1950s

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