Steve Mepsted

Throughout this series we notice a set of different people all smoking cigarettes but in different states and locations portraying an individual story for each person through the use of detail and clothing showing us the different times and emotions through one singular act overall conveying the message Steve is trying to show the vulnerable people of the world and the affect different conflict has and how they deal with them in which this specific series is smoking.

Contact - Sheets

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Overlapping. positioning. focus. angle. lighting. contrast.

selections-grouped-

edits - black and white experiment-

-Development - addition of colour-

Many people think that smoking helps calm their nerves and reduces anxiety. It might feel like a cigarette eases stress or tension, but the truth is it can make things feel worse.Smoking gives a quick hit of nicotine, which feels relaxing at first, but that feeling fades fast.When it wears off, you can feel even more anxious, stressed or down. This can lead to smoking more often, but, instead of fixing the problem, it can create a cycle where anxiety and depression get worse, not better.

The average monthly expenditure on cigarettes varies depending on location and consumption, but for a daily smoker (approx. 20 a day) in the UK, it often exceeds £350–£380 a month

Tobacco use is a major public health crisis, causing over 7 million deaths annually.

Around 6 million adults (11.9%) in the UK smoked cigarettes in 2023, the lowest proportion since 2011, with smoking rates generally declining. Smoking remains higher in men (13.7%) than women (10.1%) and is most common among 25-34 year olds. It is the largest preventable cause of death, killing up to half of users.

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including at least 69 known to cause cancer (carcinogens) and hundreds of other toxic substances. Major harmful components include nicotine (addiction), tar (lung damage), and carbon monoxide (reduces oxygen), alongside poisons like arsenic, benzene, and formaldehyde