De antorcha de libertad a estigma: resignificaciones del consumo femenino de tabaco

Abstract

«From torch of freedom to stigma: resignifi cations of female smoking». This paper explores the meanings of smoking for female smokers within their daily lives. Semi-structured interviews have been used in women who began smoking at diff erent moments of the cigarette diffusion in Spain. At an early stage, smoking became a potent symbolic mechanism of gender transgression and appropriation of male power. Nowadays, female smoking has incorporated specific meanings which are compatible with hegemonic models of femininity and women’s recourses situations. It has evolved into a functional and useful practice comprising social, bodily and emotional benefi ts. However, more recently these meanings have changing as the stigmatization process develops.