'I can't stop smoking' - Aida Loos on the issue of smoke grenades

Aida Loos, a prominent German writer and commentator, has publicly expressed her struggle with quitting smoking, describing her attempts to stop as futile. In a recent essay published in Kurier, Loos reflects on her ongoing battle with nicotine addiction, highlighting how deeply intertwined smoking is with her sense of identity and daily routine. The piece offers a candid look into the psychological and emotional challenges of trying to quit, while also questioning the societal pressures surrounding tobacco use. Loos begins by addressing the phrase “I can’t stop smoking,” which she finds both revealing and ironic. She notes how the German language strips smoking of its dignity, reducing it to a bureaucratic traffic sign, half German, half English. This linguistic shift underscores the tension between personal desire and external expectations. Loos argues that wanting to quit smoking is not about becoming someone new, but rather about ceasing to be something else, a distinction that resonates differently than other forms of self-rejection, such as being a non-musician. She questions the reasons behind smoking, suggesting that nicotine acts more as a stimulant than a calming agent. Loos likens the act of lighting a cigarette to pressing a snooze button on an alarm, offering temporary relief from the anxiety created by the previous one. Smoking, she says, becomes a means of structuring the day, providing moments of punctuation amid an otherwise formless existence. Removing this habit, she implies, could strip life of its coherence. The emotional undercurrents of smoking are also explored. Loos describes cigarettes as “smoke bombs” used to obscure inner turmoil, anger, shame, even fleeting joy. These emotions accumulate over time, waiting patiently within the individual, only to be released through the ritual of smoking. The ashtray, she suggests, holds the remnants of these unspoken feelings, cold and unpublished, while a metaphorical exhaust fan hums overhead, clearing away the smoke, but not necessarily the issues. Loos advises against making quitting a conscious goal, arguing that the intention itself can be harmful. Instead, she proposes a passive approach: waiting until smoking ceases on its own, perhaps by immersing oneself in a controlled environment, such as a glass enclosure at an airport. Here, the act of smoking would become a performance, with clouds of smoke swirling like halos searching for a head. Watching this process unfold, she suggests, might help one see their problem dissolve into thin air, though the cost, she humorously adds, would be 280 euros paid in a single transaction. The article delves into the broader context of smoking cessation in Germany, where public health campaigns have long emphasized the dangers of tobacco use. Despite these efforts, many individuals continue to struggle with addiction, often due to complex psychological factors. Loos’s perspective adds a layer of nuance to this discussion, emphasizing the need for understanding rather than judgment. Her reflections have sparked conversations among readers and experts alike. Some appreciate her honest portrayal of the internal conflict faced by smokers, while others question whether her approach is practical or merely poetic. Health professionals stress the importance of medical support and behavioral therapy in overcoming nicotine dependence, noting that while Loos’s method may offer insight, it should not replace professional guidance. The debate around smoking cessation continues to evolve, with new research shedding light on the effectiveness of various strategies. While some advocate for strict regulations and higher taxes on tobacco products, others focus on improving access to cessation programs and mental health resources. Loos’s essay contributes to this discourse by humanizing the experience of quitting, reminding readers that the journey is rarely straightforward. As discussions around public health policy and individual responsibility persist, Loos’s words remain a poignant reminder of the complexity involved in breaking free from addictive behaviors. Her call to observe the process rather than force change resonates with those who find traditional methods ineffective, offering an alternative path, one that values introspection over immediate action.