How did it happen that when you watch old vintage Soviet or American films, mission control centers, everyone smoked and now it's taboo?

Yes, no question--we know better now.

But a few days ago, I happened upon "I Want to Live!" on TCM.

There are huge signs forbidding smoking in and outside of San Quentin Prison,

site of California's gas chamber.   Still, the living inmates and their visitors

smoke like chimneys.

Almost anyone smoked by that time , everywhere and in any circumstances , even though close to babies ...I  have been a heavy smoker either ( half million cigarettes)

Things change. That's the way it is. People smoked everywhere, not just in space centers.

Many will say "people got more health conscious"...and that is part of it...but another part of it is the power of the Big Insurance lobby overtaking the power of the Big Tobacco lobby...

Healthier people mean fewer insurance claims....fewer insurance claims mean a larger pot of money from which Big Insurance companies, their shareholders and board members...

Care to guess how many former U.S. Senators are major shareholders and/or board members in Big Insurance companies...or how many current Senators have friends and family members in high-paying positions in Big Insurance companies?

By the mid 60's, the evidence of the dangers of smoking were becoming well known.  Studies supported the claim that it caused cancer and other diseases.  The US Surgeon General was task with reducing smoking in the country.  One of the first steps was to put the warning on cigarettes about the dangers of smoking.  They ran public service announcements and ads about the dangers of smoking, etc.

In 1985, Minnesota became the first state to restrict smoking in public places and work places.  By 2000, smoking was prohibited in most public places and most work areas.

Because we now know better.

I visited the original Mission Control in Houston in 2013, and the guide pointed out the fact that the observation section seats all had small ash trays in their backs, which showed how the space had not been changed since those days.I took this picture:

It's taboo now because people finally grasped how unhealthy and dangerous it is.