December 16, 2022
E-cigarettes in Movies and TV: Are Celebrities Vaping?
READ TIME: 7 MIN.
For decades, cigarettes have been a cool factor in movies and television. We all probably have this or that scene in mind in which not only the villain but also the hero has reached for a cigarette in bits and pieces. Of course, actors like James Dean and Doris Day remain unforgettable. But Robert De Niro also liked to smoke from time to time, especially in movies like "The Good Guys". Also unforgettable is when John Travolta turns around in "Grease" with a cigarette in his mouth. Even Pinocchio puffed on a cigar in the old Disney version. But lately, cigarettes have been disappearing more and more from the screens and television. Because of so much popularization of vaping, the demand for vape devices has increased. Now the user only wonders how to find a "smoke shop near me".
House of Cards - Frank Underwood
Those familiar with the remake of the BBC series with actors like Kevin Spacey know that Frank Underwood's passion was to smoke a cigarette with his wife by the window at night. But in the last season, Frank suddenly sits in the White House with an e-cigarette and even says in the episode that he wants to use it to fight his tobacco addiction - because the vapor is completely different from smoke.
Tourist - Johnny Depp is also vaping
In one of the first high-budget ($100 million) movies, The Tourist, Johnny Depp played Frank Tupelo, who was always busy. For example, on a train, he met Elise, played by Angelina Jolie. She didn't seem nasty. Despite bad reviews from audiences, the film received 3 Golden Globe nominations and grossed $278 million. Was it because of a fuming Johnny Depp? Decide for yourself!
HBO's True Detective - Ani Bezzerides is vaping in the car
In season two, Paul Woodrow comments on an e-cigarette that fellow showrunner Ani Bezzerides is smoking in the car, saying, "Is that a damn e-cigarette?"
Dirty Grandpa - Zac Efron with a vape
This product placement is aimed at the younger generation. Zac Efron, shirtless at a party, smokes an e-cigarette at length, and the party community cheers him on. The message could hardly have been clearer, but at least it was no longer about tobacco cigarettes like it used to be.
Foo Fighters - Run
This video gained much notoriety mainly because of the strong makeup and costume artistry. Dave Grohl and his band throw a raucous party at a nursing home. Maybe not everyone noticed the steam coming on, but we do. At about 5:30, the elderly gentleman takes a hard hit and lets the 60+ party go into steam.
More movies and media where you can find e-cigarettes
There are many other media, such as computer games and TV series, in which e-cigarettes play a role. Here's a small list, and if necessary, have fun searching.
- Inside Darkness (2011) - Dennis Quaid plays Vaughn Ely, a killer who often smokes a vape in the movie.
- The Hangover 3 (2013) - Here is Marshall, played by John Goodman, Chao's adversary and, therefore, also the wolf pack, who reaches for an e-cigarette.
- The Sims 4 - You can unlock the so-called "Bubble Blower" in this computer game. , which, simply put, is a sort of bong/e-cigarette hybrid that your Sim can create flavors from, such as Cosmic Encounter, Plum Fairy Fizz, and other anti-depressant options that can vape.
- 2 Broke Girls - In season 4 / episode 11, a group of hipsters is vaping at the diner where Max and Caroline work and are evicted from the restaurant. Not all e-cigarettes in Film & TV are put there for image enhancement. This product placement clearly shows that.
Celebrities who are also vaping in real life
In the celebrity world, smoking is one of the biggest vices, along with alcohol and drug use. The temptation is too great on a movie set or celebrity events, where smoking is almost mandatory. But there has also been a rethinking in Hollywood and the big stages of this world toward a healthier and more conscious lifestyle. And so it's not surprising that stars and starlets in real life are increasingly turning to a less harmful alternative and thus following the global trend not only on the big screen.
Tom Hardy enjoys e-cigarette
Hollywood star Tom Hardy, who gained fame thanks to the movie "Legend", has been part of the vape community of stars since 2014. He has overcome severe alcohol and drug problems, which has caused him to make headlines - only one vice: smoking repeatedly. The temptation to smoke or consume alcohol was ever-present in Hardy's life at after-show parties and celebrity events. With his marriage to actress Charlotte Riley in July 2014 and the creation of a family - they were soon expecting their first child together. And since then, Tom Hardy has become an avid vaper.
Charlie Sheen is a celebrity with his brand of e-cigarettes
Sheen's acting career began at the tender age of 9, when he starred with his famous father, Martin Sheen, in the TV movie "The Execution of Soldier Slovick." As a teenager, he made "Super 8" movies with his friends before gaining worldwide fame with the Brat Pack movies ("Red Dawn" "Hot Heads"). However, Sheen's media presence wasn't just for his successful films and TV series ("Two and a Half Men"), for which he was even nominated for four Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes. The well-paid celebrity has also made a name for himself with his love affairs and penchant for alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Sheen, an avid smoker, was led to e-cigarettes by a threat from Canadian authorities. During his stage program, with which he toured the United States and Canada, he could not refrain from smoking during a performance. Toronto authorities wanted to stop this and quickly threatened Sheen with a fine of about $100,000. The threat worked, and the global star promptly switched to electronic cigarettes. Since 2011, he has even successfully sold e-cigarettes under his own brand, NicoSheen. In the meantime, however, the brand is no longer distributed, and Charlie Sheen has once again focused entirely on the game.
Leonardo DiCaprio is a Hollywood experienced vaper celebrity
DiCaprio was considered a veteran of vaping in the VIP world - in 2010. He was spotted as one of the first vapers in Hollywood with an e-cigarette. Whether at the beach, on a movie set, or his bike, the Oscar winner always carries a vape. Even during the SAG Awards, where he was honored for his acting abilities in "The Revenant," audiences saw him vaping with conviction. In numerous interviews, Leonardo DiCaprio has explained how happy he is that he switched from tobacco to e-cigarettes. In addition to the fact that vaping positively affects his well-being, the staunch environmentalist should also be happy that the vaping electric alternative also greatly reduces the problem of the tens of trillions of cigarette butts that are now being thrown away. Way to go, Leonardo!
Samuel L. Jackson is a movie legend who wants to live forever
Samuel L. Jackson is probably one of the coolest celebrities who always buys devices in vape shops. Having played in more than 100 movies where he often had to reach for a cigarette and a Golden Globe winner, the 70-year-old actor is one of the icons of movie history. Jackson's Twitter post attracted attention in 2014: in one photo, the star poses with a large e-cigarette. Having been an avid smoker for decades, he managed to rid himself of the unhealthy vice with an electronic alternative. After all, Samuel L. Jackson says he plans to live forever. With his switch to e-cigarettes, his healthy, partly vegan diet, and plenty of sports, he's already setting the stage for that. Jackson achieved his breakthrough in his starring role as professional gangster Jules in the cult movie "Pulp Fiction" only when he was over 40. Before that, he kept his head above water with small roles in the theater. A few years ago in an American night show, he showed that the scene does not leave him indifferent. Even after a long time, causing a storm of indignation in a steamy scene: with a cigarette in his hand, and since then, with his stoic equanimity, many considered him a role model.
Katherine Heigl – a trendsetter for e-cigarettes
American actress and film producer Katherine Heigl not only always looks "modern" but is also one of the veterans of electronic cigarettes because she has been smoking vapes since 2010. Few people know that she was an avid smoker for many years. By switching to e-cigarettes, the screen star finally gave up tobacco. The now three-time mother has gained fame for her successful "Grey's Anatomy" series. The e-cigarette was just beginning to develop more than eight years ago when Katherine Heigl was one of the first to be in the news on television. On a talk show, legend David Letterman explained her long-suffering on the road to quitting smoking. Heigl revealed that she didn't start smoking until she was 25. At first, it was just a few cigarettes when she was stressed or hanging out with friends until Katherine Heigl finally became an avid smoker. She found it increasingly difficult to stop. On the show, the Letterman actress talked about the benefits e-cigarettes have brought to her and those around her. The world-famous Katherine Heigl became a trendsetter because of her stylish demeanor and her pioneering role in e-cigarettes as a "trailblazer." She didn't start smoking until she was 25. At first, it was just a few cigarettes when she was stressed or socializing with friends until Katherine Heigl finally became an avid smoker. She found it increasingly difficult to stop.
Kate Moss has been a confident vaper since 2013
Since the 1980s, Kate Moss has been considered a model on the scene who, instead of chewing on a lettuce leaf and disciplined committing to her career, is living her rock 'n' roll lifestyle to the fullest. She celebrated great success not only because of her coolness but also because of her unconventional style. In addition, the runway star has repeatedly attracted attention with her drug scandals and drunken nights out. Over the past few years, aging has taken its toll on Moss as the party girl tries to be healthier, exercise more, and eat better. The former avid smoker has also given up her biggest vice and resorted to e-cigarettes - and has been for several years.