Almost nothing in popular culture has
changedasdrasticallyasourattitude towards
smoking cigarettes. Smoking used to be a
symbol of sophistication, suggesting a hint
of glamour or confidence. Smokingused to
be normal, even
cool.
Not anymore. Today,
smoking cigarettes can get you thrown out
of the finest restaurants in town or your
neighborhoodbar.Youcan’teven smokewith
impunity in your own car or office.Here in
Ontario,Canada, you canget fined if you’re
caught smoking in a car carrying a kid.
Before we examine the music on this
collection, we’re going to have a brief look
at the ‘then and now’ of cigarette smoking,
just to remind ourselves howmuch things
have changed. It is important to see the
musicwe’ve selected in its context. It comes
fromanot-very-distantpastwhencigarettes
and smokers were welcomed and catered
to; they were as American as apple pie.
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