The allure of smoking in movies has a cinematic charm, making it appear cool despite the real-world health concerns associated with the habit.
Reddit user The Captain delved into the realm of movie smoking, posing the question on the Explain Like I'm Five community: "Do people really smoke in movies, or is it some kind of gimmick?"
The answer is a blend of reality and artifice. In the era spanning the '70s to the '90s, tobacco companies eagerly sought to feature their cigarettes in films.
Prop master Jeff Butcher, known for his work on films like Requiem for a Dream and The Wrestler, shared insights, stating, “You could call a company and say 'I'm making a movie and I need cigarettes,' and they'd send you a carton.” This practice waned after a 1998 agreement banned tobacco placement in movies.
As health advocacy gained traction, more movies, especially those with a general-viewer rating, embraced a tobacco-free stance. Even if actors are real-life smokers, inhaling cigarettes repeatedly during multiple takes isn't ideal.
To address this, herbal cigarettes without tobacco or nicotine are employed. Jeff Butcher, for instance, often orders Ecstacy Cigarettes, described on his website as “made with non-addictive herbs and plants.” This brand was notably used in Mad Men, amounting to around 200,000 cigarettes over its seven seasons.
Moreover, prop masters like Butcher go the extra mile, creating herbal cigarettes tailored for actors with allergies or specific conditions. For instance, during the filming of Non-Stop with Liam Neeson, who was an ex-smoker, vaporizers were initially purchased but not used. Instead, handmade cigarettes were crafted using chamomile tea, providing an alternative to traditional smoking scenes.
