At the age of 80, most people either embark on a spiritual journey or are at His mercy to take a step into their heavenly voyage. But, the singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen broke the tradition and instead celebrated his 80th birthday last month by resuming smoking.

“It’s the right age to recommence,” said Cohen, according to New York Times. Maybe age isn’t a factor  for Mr. Cohen that alters the choices he makes in life. After all, at the age of 70 he was touring the world performing live for his fans. Now in his 80s, he is still growing strong as his newly released 13th studio album, ‘Popular Problems’ is currently number one in 29 countries.

As Cohen maintains his despicable charm and wry humour, through the ages, he gives us all something to ponder over. It is not a debate about whether the evil of smoking should be taken up or not or if we should be callous enough to disregard the needs of our body at any age.

It is simply about what we want. His recomencement of smoking after 30 years provokes a question of serious dilemma: Should we only live for the future and disregard our present by ignoring what we want today? 

The new concept of ageing in the 21st century has brought us all to the cusp of a silent revolution. With an increase in the popularization of age-maintenance medication and other drugs which are aimed not merely at curing the disease but at preventing the risk of the possibility of housing diseases in the future, the level of fear amongst people has risen. Particularly because common ailments like osteoporosis and ageing are considered as diseases now.

More than half of the adult population of age 65 and over are on some sort of prescriptive drug or dietary supplement. But diseases like heart failure, cancer and dialysis are no longer the only source of worry. The natural process of ageing is more worrisome. 

SEE ALSO: Leonard Cohen reflects on his 80th birthday, new album 'Popular Problems'

If there is something known as too much of a good thing then maybe it is prevention. Groups like the United States Preventive Services Task Force, which regularly assess the evidence that supports prevention guidelines, concluded that after a certain point in age preventive cures can only do so much. The body stops reacting to these medicines and surgeries after a while.

So, there is no point in treating your body like an experiment lab rat when you are already suffering from the pangs of old age. Instead, the aim should be to live a life of dignity and security.

Even at 80 we can make the best informed choices but cant stop having a glass of wine with old pals, dine with family or indulge in secret pleasures. So, maybe we don’t have a reason to frown when Mr. Cohen says “Seriously, does anybody know where you can buy a Turkish or Greek cigarette around here? I'm looking forward to that first smoke, I've been looking forward to for about 30 years. It's one of the few consistent strains of thought I've had.”

So do we want to live in an era where 75 is considered as the new 65 or do we simply want to live up to a century with not actually having lived it?

Reach Staff Reporter Pallavi Jain here or follow her on Twitter.