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Why did teenagers in the 50s look so old? An exploration of history, health, and perception

According to research on smoking initiation patterns, an overwhelming majority of smokers from the cohort born between 1950 and 1959 started before age 20. This significant health difference, alongside other factors, helps explain why many people ask: Why did teenagers in the 50s look so old? The answer lies in a fascinating blend of physiology, culture, and photographic bias.