I would have scored this photo MUCH higher had the image been directly related to the challenge instead of the title being the connection. Good use of over-contrast and negative space. Like the emotion.
Certainly has an anti-smoking look to it. But based on the challenge description "Photograph your own conceptualization of the afterlife" and not the title, it appears that the afterlife might be great for smokers but hell for non-smokers!
I dont care for the harsh lighting - sorry but it isnt working for me. Besides - the challenge was to depict THE afterlife - not the method of getting there.