Industry
\"A cigarette as an investment?\" Suspicious networking in Silicon Valley
Some founders and investors in Silicon Valley, which prizes health management and productivity, are using cigarettes as an informal networking tool, voices say. They say smoking together eases work-related tension and can lead to unexpected conversations. Examples include a startup co-founder who said smoking helped build relationships and led to hiring, and investors who described similar encounters. The trend contrasts with falling U.S. smoking rates, and observations vary by sector.
