I think we're definitely living in a culture of overprotectiveness-caution and common sense are never a bad thing, but kids living in protective bubbles will grow into useless adults.
I was lucky, because most of my childhood was spent in Communist Bulgaria, with a non-existant crime rate. I was taught caution and warned about strangers/sex predators, but other than that, was free to explore.
As for kids buying cigarettes for their parents-that still happens here, it's no big deal. I remember being 13 and buying wine or whiskey when sent in the supermarket too.
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