Today, smoking is seen as a personal choice, but it wasn’t always that way — especially for women. There was a time when smoking in public (and sometimes even in private) was considered taboo for women, and in some places, it was outright banned. So when were women first allowed to smoke openly? Let’s take a walk through this fascinating chapter of social history.

Smoking and Women Before the 20th Century

In the 19th century, smoking was almost exclusively a male activity in the Western world. For women, smoking was seen as inappropriate, scandalous, and even immoral. While men could enjoy cigars in smoking rooms and lounges, women who smoked risked being labeled as “unladylike” or rebellious.

That doesn’t mean women didn’t smoke at all — in fact, many did, but usually in private. Some upper-class women in Europe smoked cigarettes in the privacy of their homes or gardens, but it was certainly not considered proper behavior in public spaces.

The Early 1900s: Challenging the Norms

The early 20th century brought waves of social change, and with them, new ideas about women’s rights and independence. During World War I, women entered the workforce in huge numbers, taking on jobs traditionally held by men. This period marked a shift in gender roles — and in attitudes toward women smoking.

Still, smoking in public remained controversial. In 1908, for example, New York City passed a law making it illegal for women to smoke in public places. One well-known case involved Katie Mulcahey, a woman arrested for lighting up a cigarette in public just one day after the law was passed. Although the law was short-lived and quickly repealed, it showed how resistant society was to the idea of women smokers.

1920s: “Torches of Freedom”

The 1920s were a turning point. As women gained the right to vote in countries like the United States and Canada, they also pushed back against many traditional restrictions, including those around smoking.

A major moment came in 1929 during the Easter Sunday Parade in New York City. Public relations genius Edward Bernays (often called the “father of public relations”) staged a publicity stunt where women marched while smoking cigarettes, which he branded “Torches of Freedom.” It was meant to position smoking as a symbol of women’s liberation — and it worked. The event made headlines and helped normalize the idea of women smoking in public.

At the same time, cigarette companies realized the potential of marketing directly to women. They began advertising cigarettes as a way to stay slim, fashionable, and independent — tying smoking to the new image of the “modern woman.”

Smoking and Women Around the World

In Canada and Europe, the trends followed a similar path. By the 1930s, it was increasingly acceptable for women to smoke in public spaces, though full social acceptance took time. In more conservative societies, the shift happened much later, and even today, public smoking by women is still frowned upon in some cultures.

A Complicated Legacy

While the “liberation” of women smokers was a significant moment in social history, it’s important to recognize the darker side too. Cigarette companies specifically targeted women with advertising, downplaying the health risks. It wasn’t until much later — in the 1960s and beyond — that the serious dangers of smoking became widely known.

Still, the story of women and smoking is deeply tied to larger movements for women’s rights, personal freedom, and social change. Lighting up a cigarette was once a powerful (and controversial) act of rebellion.

Final Thoughts

When women were first allowed — or rather, bold enough — to smoke publicly, it symbolized much more than just the right to light a cigarette. It reflected a broader fight for freedom, equality, and self-expression. While today we recognize the health risks of smoking, the historical significance of those early female smokers remains an important piece of the story of women’s liberation.