Iconic Hollywood movies – From Casablanca and Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Pulp Fiction – portraying actors and celebrities smoking cigarettes played a pivotal role rising smoking to a status symbol, periodically switching between a low class routine and a sophisticated, recreational practice for the wealthy. Great artworks displayed on cigarettes and cigars labels, boxes, bands, logos and advertisements have also contributed to the definition of smoking as an art.

Smoking bans in public places – as put in practice in some Western countries – seemed to have rallied tobacco and cigarettes consumers under the same flag, eventually raising the question of smokers rights. The existence of groups such the Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco and Smokers Against Discrimination is quite meaningful. Ultimately, the reason why smoking tobacco remains so popular is perfectly described by Oscar Wilde, who said: “A cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite and it leaves one unsatisfied. What more can one want?”