Intellectual talks, group smoking, and inclusivity of all kinds of people mark the social gatherings of Medicine Hat. This city of southeast Alberta is located along the South Saskatchewan River.

“In Medicine Hat, the sun paints the coulees with gold, and the city pulses with a vibrant spirit.”

Medicine Hat has a vibrant social smoking culture that dates back to the mid-20th century. The rules and regulations are occasionally developed and upgraded to fulfill the city’s social norms and needs. 

Social smoking represents a sophisticated scenario of a group of intellectuals (bureaucrats, politicians, artists, etc.) discussing crucial situations of the state while smoking. 

These cigarettes can be cheap, but the conversations are always rich. Let’s delve deep into the history of social smoking in Medicine Hat and what it means for the city. 

The Vintage Age Of Smoking: 1950s

In the 1950s, the smoking scene started to expand and become a standard part of the society. People started to accept smoking in a friendly manner. Adults used to practice smoking both in public and private spaces. 

In the mid-20th century, in all of Canada,

Men: Approximately 68.9% smokes

Women: Approximately 38.2% smokes

As the country moved in the 60s decade and ’70s decade, smoking started to represent many symbols. Medicine Hat kind of become the epicenter of this moment. 

Let’s see some of the significant changes in the city due to the acceptance of social smoking culture in the 1960s and 1970s. 

The Age Of Rebels: 1960s & 1970s

The youth of Medicine Hat expressed their opinions and views through music and fashion, and buying and smoking cheap cigarettes was a significant part of it. 

A large percentage of the women population started smoking and choosing bold costumes as their attire. This also marked a form of rebellion of youth towards oppression. 

The authorities of the state, before 1960, discouraged Black immigration. According to the Immigration Act of 1910, the migration of non-white people to Canada was considered undesirable. 

This started to change in the 60s and 70s because of the civil rights movements in North America, particularly in the USA and Canada. Hence, smoking cigarettes was among the first acts of rebellion against the oppressive system. 

Buying cheap smoke and expressing flames of cigarettes were regularly seen in the art of that period. 

Navigating The Way & Embracing The Culture: 1980s & 1990s

World Health Organization (WHO) researched smoking trends from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s in 36 cities, including a few cities in Canada. The research indicated the growth in the smoking population and the expansion of the social smoking culture. 

As the world evolved, so did Medicine Hat, and with this modernization, there were many options for people of all ages and generations to smoke. Many brands of cigarettes and vapes were famous in that period, such as,

• Player’s
• Macdonald’s
• Export A
• Dunhill
• Benson & Hedges
• Marlboro
• Canadian Classics
• John Player Special (JPS)
• Treasure Island
• Craven A
• Lucky Strike
• Camel
• Viceroy
• Pall Mall

Many Canadian artists, especially musicians, were known to be smokers, reflecting the social attitudes of the time. This list included artists:

01. Neil Young

Legendary rock musician Neil Young smoked for most of his life. His music lasted for a handful of generations, and so did his style. The youth was inspired by Mr.Young and aspired to become like him. 

02. Leonard Cohen

Singer-songwriter and poet “Leonard Cohen” often smoked during his performances, contributing to his Bohemian lifestyle. This inspired the youth and the older generation to take up smoking and express their opinions freely. 

03. The Tragically Hip

The beloved Canada’s band was associated with the rebellious rock and roll culture of the time, and smoking was a significant part of their stage performances. 

Artists like these were the most significant contributors to the social acceptance of smoking among the Medicine Hat population. 

Entering The Modern Age: 2000s

The digitalization of the world and the internet boom were significant steps toward the high demand and sale of cigarettes in Medicine Hat. 

The concept of “responsible smoking” was introduced by the authorities. It emphasized smoking with precautions, in limited numbers, and also thinking about the health of people who may be allergic to smoking. 

The 2000s also saw a boom in the use of vapes as a strong alternative to smoking in Medicine Hat. 

It wasn’t until the 2010s that the world saw a different kind of smoking habit among the youth population of the city. 

The Digital Era: 2010s

With the development of nicotine-free cigarettes, consumption saw an exponential steep in the Medicine Hat population. 

These nicotine-free cigarettes make the population enjoy smoking without much of its side effects. Some laws and regulations saw more leniency. 

These laws and regulations were a primary reason for the high engagement of social smoking in Medicine Hat in the 2010s decade. 

Social Smoking Post-Pandemic: 2020s to Present

The coronavirus pandemic hit in December 2019, and many started smoking less as they considered it may lead to them getting COVID-19. This leads to a decline in smoking and buying cheap cigarettes in Medicine Hat.

But after the dust settled, people started looking for premium cigarettes at affordable prices online. Top Smokes Canada emerged as a key player that delivers cigarettes at healthy prices and offers a variety of options.

One can embrace the joy of puffing and use smoking as a tool to connect in social smoking scenarios in Medicine Hat as their ancestors and nation’s founding fathers have been doing for a long time. 

Conclusion: The Future Ahead

Medicine Hat has a rich history of social smoking; it’s ingrained in its population. Over a while, smoking has symbolized a form of rebellion, a way to bond, express yourself, and sometimes even as a form of style.   

It has helped the state’s population relax. With options for getting premium cigarettes online, such as “Top Smokes Canada,” the future looks promising. 

Remember the words of iconic Canadian artist “Tommy Chong”;

“Cigarettes are like your first love. You get addicted to them.”