Martin Parr's 'No Smoking' Exhibition at Rocket Gallery Documents Tobacco Culture Through Five Decades

At Rocket Gallery in London, British photographer Martin Parr unveils 'No Smoking,' an exhibition that spans five decades of smoking culture in the West. Featuring around 30 photographs, the collection includes pieces from 'The Last Resort' (1983–85) taken in New Brighton, Merseyside. Parr’s vibrant use of flash captures scenes such as an elderly couple at a café and sunbathers in Benidorm. The display also showcases images from locations like Florida (1996, 1998), Basel (1997), Margate (1986), and Waterford (2011). Notably absent are any depictions of smoke, emphasizing the social implications of smoking alongside a prominent 'No Smoking' sign. The exhibition is open until 31 May 2025 and was reviewed by Ella Nixon in ArtReview, March 2025.