I started smoking when I was a teen and quit 20 times. I still love the occasional cigarette.
Business Insider
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Andrea Javor’s decades-long struggle with smoking reveals a complex relationship between rebellion, social connection, and health. Starting at 16, she smoked sporadically for over two decades, quitting nearly 20 times but always returning to the habit. Her journey reflects how smoking became both a source of freedom and a symbol of her identity, intertwined with significant life moments and meaningful conversations. Despite knowing the risks, Javor found herself drawn back to cigarettes, even as societal norms shifted against smoking.
In the early 2000s, cultural changes made smoking less permissible in media and public spaces, pushing Javor to reevaluate her habit. Her diagnosis with type 1 diabetes at 27 marked a turning point; she quit abruptly, flushing her remaining cigarettes. Yet, cravings lingered, often triggered by nostalgic memories tied to specific people or places. Over the years, she relapsed in secret, smoking occasionally but feeling shame about it.
Javor’s latest strategy is different: she’s allowing herself one cigarette a month, smoked openly and with self-awareness. This approach aims to break the cycle of secrecy and rebellion while minimizing health risks. Her story highlights how personal
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/22/2026