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“Embers of Her Story” traces the deeply personal story of Lauren Stone and her family’s multigenerational relationship with smoking. It reveals the emotional and health-related toll it has taken.
The tale begins with Lauren’s grandmother, Berta, an Iraqi refugee who began smoking as a teenager and later became a central figure in Lauren’s childhood. Their close bond was forged through shared meals, stories, and cultural traditions, but the relationship was also marked by Berta’s long-term smoking habit — a habit that ultimately led to her passing from lung cancer. Berta’s death left an emotional void in the family and highlighted the devastating health consequences of smoking.
Through a combination of intimate portraits and scenes from everyday life, the photo essay explores how the legacy of smoking continues to affect Lauren. The physical presence of her grandmother remains in the form of belongings and clothing, evoking bittersweet memories and a strong emotional connection to her past.
However, Lauren’s own occasional smoking to manage anxiety illustrates how familial and cultural patterns can reemerge, even in those who are acutely aware of the risks. Statistics show that children with family members who smoke are significantly more likely to pick up the habit themselves, a pattern mirrored in Lauren’s experience.
Despite these challenges, the narrative ends on a cautiously hopeful note. Lauren acknowledges the dangers of smoking and expresses concern about its long-term impact on her health. Yet, she also represents a segment of smokers who are aware, reflective, and potentially ready for change.
With nearly 9% of U.S. smokers successfully quitting each year, there is a path forward for Lauren and others like her.
Lauren Stone’s grandmother, an Iraqi refugee, began smoking when she was a teenager. They often spent time together cooking Mizrahi Jewish meals from her grandmother’s childhood.Lauren and her grandmother often spoke about their day while eating meals out of plastic containers.Lauren regularly looks through old photos of her and her grandmother, reminiscing about her childhood with her best friend.Berta passed away from lung cancer; however, the disease had also spread to other areas of her body. According to the American Cancer Society, “smoking is responsible for about 90% of lung cancer cases in the United States Berta’s death from smoking was deeply traumatic for her and her family, as the cancer spread rapidly throughout her grandmother’s body. Berta’s death from smoking was deeply traumatic for her and her family, as the cancer spread rapidly throughout her grandmother’s body.To the left is a photo of Lauren’s mother, and to the right is her grandmother, Berta.Berta’s clothes and cherished belongings still linger throughout the house, serving as a reminder of Lauren’s fond childhood memories with her grandmother.These clothes were purchased from Israel, where smoking rates are extremely high due to socioeconomic disparities and cultural struggles, making it a common way to cope with trauma. Lauren tries on her grandmother’s clothes at times, to connect with her.According to the Department of Health and Social Care, “children whose parents and family members smoke are four times as likely to take up smoking themselves.”Lauren smokes occasionally to cope with her anxiety; however, she is concerned on how temporary coping will affect her long-term health. According to the American Lung Association, “individuals in the U.S. ever diagnosed with anxiety or depression smoke at a rate of 15.6%, compared to 9.3% among those never diagnosed.”According to the Truth Initiative, “tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the country and leads to 480,000 deaths in the U.S. each year from cigarette smoking alone.” Lauren is concerned about her smoking habits and how they may impact her long-term health and longevity.The future is still bright for smokers like Lauren, as approximately 8.8% of adult smokers in the United States successfully quit each year.
Paris Bender is a Senior double majoring in journalism/broadcasting and architecture. A Florida International University -Ratcliffe fellow who also works with the Caplin news internship, plans to expand her knowledge on journalism, and international architecture with her latest podcast Ecobabble. She plans to be an international architect and use journalism skills to publish articles on sustainable, eco-friendly design, as well as current issues on environmental protection. In her free time, she creates films, interviews designers leading in ecological innovation and is also in a real estate program achieving her license.
Zariah Broughton is a Digital Journalism major with an area of concentration in criminal justice. The diverse stories of everyday people fascinate her. Upon graduation, she wants to attend law school and work in the Sports and entertainment segment of law.
Aaron Bujeiro was born and raised in Miami and is now majoring in Mass Communications and Digital Media. Currently a junior, he plans to work in public service after graduation, in any field where he can directly help people in need. He is interested in philosophy and theology in his free time.
Francesca Cagnana is a senior majoring in digital journalism with a minor in anthropology. She currently works and plans to continue working in Communications for a Doctor where she promotes and explains their services that help those with Neurodivergent diagnoses and traits.
