Following France, Portugal and 170 other countries, Russia joined the WHO International Convention on Tobacco Control. But in all countries, the introduction of strict restrictions on smoking in public places has led to the emergence of new — «secret» smokers. Why? We asked Odile Lezurne, a French psychoanalyst and author of The Genesis of Habits, about this.
Psychologies: How to explain the fact that adults hide to smoke?
Odile Lesourne: The anti-tobacco campaign has taken on such a scale that more and more people feel involved in this cause and direct their efforts … to others. It’s easier than on yourself. Many people convince their loved ones to quit smoking, but they themselves do not dare to do so. That’s why they hide.
This is real infantilism!
For the most part yes. But smoking in itself is infantile: a cigarette is an object akin to a baby’s nipple, the smoker seems to unconsciously rebel against the prohibitions of the society of «adults» … However, secret smoking can also be an act of maturity: «I know what I want, and I do not want others to poison me life with its teachings. Therefore, I calmly smoke alone.
* O. Lesourne “The Genesis of addictions. Phew, 2007.