It might be hard to remember, but in some parts of the world, smoking bans are a relatively recent development compared to Western countries. Around the turn of the millennium, smoking was still seen as a form of personal freedom in these places. While it's important to acknowledge the broader implications for public health, I want to share a glimpse of what some might call the 'good old days' from my time at university. We found joy in the simplest things, like smoking inexpensive Soviet-era cigarettes, a welcome distraction from the endless, exhausting journeys on buses and trains.

The photo accompanying this story features me, and credit for the shot goes to my friend RoKo.