Every week or so, we ask a North Korean your questions, giving you the chance to learn more about the country we know so little about.

Got a question? Email it to [email protected] with your name and city. We’ll be publishing the best ones.

Today’s question is: Is it common for women to smoke in North Korea?

Editor’s note: North Korea recently appeared to be stepping up its anti-smoking efforts, introducing nicotine patches and launching a nationwide anti-tobacco campaign.

I’m not sure if things have changed since I left North Korea, but until 2012, people were tolerant of the elderly smoking and younger people couldn’t