Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s Adam Kovac joins host Rachel Feltman to explore why some experts worry cigarettes may be making a comeback among Generation Z. They discuss how social media, celebrity influence and growing anxiety among young people may have roles in the possible trend and why public health researchers are watching it closely.
0:00 Introduction
0:22 Is Gen Z smoking more? The vibe vs. the data
1:42 Meet Adam Kovac
1:51 Defining Gen Z
2:25 The genesis of the article
3:27 What the smoking data actually shows
4:09 Gen Z smoking rates specifically
4:30 Why experts aren't reassured by the data
6:14 Cigarettes vs. vaping
7:51 Why is this happening? Root causes
10:34 The social aspect of smoking
10:34 Systemic issues & what experts recommend
11:51 Outro
Recommended Reading:
Is Gen Z actually smoking more? An investigation
scientificamerican.com/article/is-gen-z-actually-smoking-more-an-investigation
Antinicotine advocates and lawmakers criticize the FDA’s decision to approve flavored vapes
scientificamerican.com/article/the-trump-administration-is-bringing-back-flavored-vapes-advocates-and-lawmakers-say-the-risks-outweigh-the-benefits
A smoking ban for people born after 2008 may be on the cusp of becoming law in the U.K. Here’s what to know
scientificamerican.com/article/smoking-ban-for-people-born-after-2008-is-on-the-cusp-of-becoming-law-in-the-uk
Join our Summer Reading Challenge
sciam.com/readingchallenge
E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
Discover something new every day. Subscribe to Scientific American: scientificamerican.com/getsciam
And sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter: scientificamerican.com/account/email-preferences
Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Marielle Issa and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
In this episode of Science Quickly, Scientific American’s Adam Kovac joins host Rachel Feltman to explore why some experts worry cigarettes may be making a comeback among Generation Z. They discuss how social media, celebrity influence and growing anxiety among young people may have roles in the possible trend and why public health researchers are watching it closely.
0:00 Introduction
0:22 Is Gen Z smoking more? The vibe vs. the data
1:42 Meet Adam Kovac
1:51 Defining Gen Z
2:25 The genesis of the article
3:27 What the smoking data actually shows
4:09 Gen Z smoking rates specifically
4:30 Why experts aren't reassured by the data
6:14 Cigarettes vs. vaping
7:51 Why is this happening? Root causes
10:34 The social aspect of smoking
10:34 Systemic issues & what experts recommend
11:51 Outro
Recommended Reading:
Is Gen Z actually smoking more? An investigation
scientificamerican.com/article/is-gen-z-actually-smoking-more-an-investigation
Antinicotine advocates and lawmakers criticize the FDA’s decision to approve flavored vapes
scientificamerican.com/article/the-trump-administration-is-bringing-back-flavored-vapes-advocates-and-lawmakers-say-the-risks-outweigh-the-benefits
A smoking ban for people born after 2008 may be on the cusp of becoming law in the U.K. Here’s what to know
scientificamerican.com/article/smoking-ban-for-people-born-after-2008-is-on-the-cusp-of-becoming-law-in-the-uk
Join our Summer Reading Challenge
sciam.com/readingchallenge
E-mail us at sciencequickly@sciam.com if you have any questions, comments or ideas for stories we should cover!
Discover something new every day. Subscribe to Scientific American: scientificamerican.com/getsciam
And sign up for Today in Science, our daily newsletter: scientificamerican.com/account/email-preferences
Science Quickly is produced by Rachel Feltman, Fonda Mwangi and Jeff DelViscio. This episode was edited by Alex Sugiura, with fact-checking by Marielle Issa and Aaron Shattuck. Our theme music was composed by Dominic Smith.
