I don't think you can only blame it on less people smoking. I'm pretty sure I only remember a single person's apartment (in my age range) who actually smoked IN

I don't think you can only blame it on less people smoking. I'm pretty sure I only remember a single person's apartment (in my age range) who actually smoked INSIDE. All the other (heavy) smokers, still went to their balcony, even in winter. No one wanted to have the smell inside their apartment/house, even if it was a pack a day. Ashtrays at home have indeed been a thing of the past - but all the restaurants around here have them on the outside tables, as you're allowed to smoke there - from the first paragraph... that doesn't seem to be the case where the author is living? That part feels weird, it's not like a teenager would never encounter one...