After the ‘near oppressive’ clean girl era, cigarettes are trendy again – Press Review

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, July 15: French papers weep, while the Spanish press celebrates the World Cup semi-final. Also in France, papers discuss the assisted dying bill that’ll be voted on today. Finally: are cigarettes back in vogue? 

French papers are reacting to Les Bleus‘ loss. July 14 is now a “day of national defeat” for France, according to So Foot. “That’s what you call a rude awakening, and it hurts”, writes the magazine, adding that “everything was going so well”, until the match against Spain. Aujourd’hui en France says that expectations are premeditated regrets. It writes that the “dream” was big and so is the sadness now. By looking up at the sky too much, Les Bleus tripped over their own feet and their dream turned into a “shooting star”. L’Equipe writes that the players “outclassed in every aspect, unable to live up to their dreams and the hope they had raised”. 

Meanwhile, the Spanish press is ecstatic. “Qué grandes” – “How great they are”, writes Mundo Deportivo – especially Lamine Yamal, who is only 19 years old. “Deschamps’ team arrived radiating an aura of power and invincibility. But if there was one team capable of winning, it was Spain and they did it”, says the sports daily. It also praises “the magnificent soccer, the impeccable attitude, and the total commitment” of La Roja that managed to deliver “a true masterclass in soccer”. “A lesson for the whole world,” according to AS, which describes “a thrilling match” and a “dazzling performance” that will send Spain to its second World Cup final. La Roja has crushed Les Bleus, handing them a “historic” thrashing, according to Marca. The paper thanks the players for their “unforgettable spectacle”.  

Back to France, where deputies are set to vote on the country’s divisive assisted dying bill – one of Emmanuel Macron‘s flagship promises. Left-wing paper Libération welcomes the adoption of what it defines as a “major societal reform, supported by a majority of French people”. According to the newspaper, “this vote will be a relief for many people suffering from incurable illnesses and in great pain – and for their loved ones”. Right-wing paper Le Figaro is opposed to the bill. It says that the legislation “divides both the executive branch and the French public”. L’Opinion reports on “hesitations emerging among lawmakers who are aware they are living through a historic moment”. Nine prominent lawmakers who are against the bill made a final appeal in the Catholic newspaper La Croix. Here’s a quote from one of them: “Fighting suffering can never mean eliminating the sufferer (…) because no one should have to choose between suffering and dying”.

Finally: some news about pop star Dua Lipa. The Guardian reports that she said the Albanian protests against the Jared Kushner-backed resort are “inspiring,” adding “the flamingo revolution has won its most prominent supporter yet”. The paper recalls that she was partially raised in Pristina and her parents are of Kosovan Albanian descent. But the flamingo revolution is not the only one she’s leading.

The Washington Post writes that cigarettes are back in vogue, and celebrities like Dua Lipa and Gracie Abrams are at the forefront of the trend. If you ask, “are cigarettes back?” some people will tell you they never left. But the attitude towards cigarette smokers did, writes the paper. Kylie Jenner – one of the world’s most famous influencers – is smoking on the cover of Vanity Fair. Hailey Bieber also held a cigarette for her Interview Magazine shoot. And Charli XCX had a cigarette tray for guests at her wedding. The paper explains that cigarettes feel retro and very analogue. After the “near oppressive wellness” and “clean girl” era, the vintage, messy feel of cigarettes is back with full force.

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