The History of Smoking in the NHL

Smoking was once ubiquitous in the NHL, interwoven with hockey culture, with stars like Guy Lafleur and Mike Bossy often seen lighting up. This video explores the journey from the early 20th century when smoking was promoted and players endorsed cigarette brands, through the peak of smoking in the 1970s and 80s, to the decline in the 1990s due to rising health awareness and anti-smoking regulations.

The narrative details key players and events, examines the transition to smokeless tobacco, and discusses how modern NHL players have largely abandoned smoking.

The video also touches on the tragic health consequences faced by past players due to smoking, and the continued challenges posed by smokeless tobacco use.

00:00 The History of Smoking in the NHL
00:28 Smoking as a Cultural Norm
01:31 The Golden Age of Smoking
02:38 Decline and Shift to Smokeless Tobacco
03:06 2010s to Present: Virtual Extinction of Cigarette Smoking
05:05 The Persistence of Smokeless Tobacco
05:38 Conclusion

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