Contents
- The history of smoking in cinema
- Why smoking has become less featured
- Smoking scenes in modern cinema
- Conclusion
1. The history of smoking in cinema
Cigarettes once appeared in cinema as an expressive artistic medium. A cigarette could help filmmakers convey the characters’ emotions in the frame: a character lights up when deep in thought or reflection, or, conversely, abruptly puts out a cigarette from an overabundance of emotion; and also more accurately portray their character.
It’s safe to say that the first smoking scene in cinema appeared as early as the late 9th century—in the short documentary “Workers Leaving the Lumiere Factory” (1895). The cigarettes aren’t clearly visible in the footage, but their characteristic movements allow smokers to be identified among the crowd of workers. In the 1920s, smoking was used to convey a character’s personality, lifestyle, or the mood of a scene (as portrayed by Clark Gable, Rudolph Valentino, and Greta Garbo in films of the 1920s).
Classic film noir is unimaginable without cigarette smoke, enveloping the mysterious, intriguing characters.
In the 1940s, a cigarette in film could complement the image of a femme fatale (Joan Bennett in “The Woman in the Window”) or a brilliant detective (Humphrey Bogart as a private detective in the iconic films of the era “The Maltese Falcon” and “The Big Sleep”). It served to create atmosphere and, in part, helped to emphasize the independence and mystery of the characters.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, smoking in films became a symbol of rebels, rock stars, and soldiers, conveying a spirit of rebellion, freedom, and masculinity (see James Dean’s iconic role in Rebel Without a Cause and Captain Willard in Apocalypse Now).
In the 1980s and 1990s, cigarettes accompanied mature leaders, becoming a characterization element and a means of adding realism to the plot (see the leading characters in Wall Street, The Godfather Part III, and The Sopranos).
2. Why smoking has become less featured
Since the early 2000s, smoking scenes in films have begun to disappear due to stricter legislation and pressure from public organizations. This has particularly affected films aimed at teenagers. Some countries, such as France and India, have begun to impose age restrictions on films featuring tobacco products. In the United States, the Motion Picture Association of American Filmmakers (MPAA) takes smoking scenes into account when assigning age ratings. This has motivated studios to minimize their presence, especially in PG-13 films.
3. Smoking scenes in modern cinema
Smoking scenes are still popular in cinema today. What are such scenes typically used for?
- Revealing the character’s image and state: thoughtfulness, melancholy, mystery, a moment of concentration.
- Historical accuracy, especially in biographical and war dramas.
- Visual aesthetics: smoke as a compositional element.
Scenes with smoking can be used to reveal certain character types:
- Creative personality (artists, writers, filmmakers, advertisers) — a reflection of moments of creative exploration, a passion for the creative process (Don Draper, creative director of an advertising agency in the TV series “Mad Men”);
- Femme fatale — striking female characters emphasizing their strength and independence (Malena in the film of the same name);
- A wise, older character — usually experienced and seasoned by a difficult fate (Clint Eastwood’s character in “Gran Torino”);
- Rebel, “bad guy” – characters “on the edge,” challenging and captivating with their imperfections (Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders).
Smoking in film is linked to cultural reflection. Viewers have come to perceive on-screen scenes as artistic codes rather than direct instructions for action. The cigarette is more of a symbol than a habit.
Smoking in film is no longer romanticized. It’s also worth noting that in arthouse cinema, smoking is often used as part of the visual language – the aesthetics of smoke, gestures, and pauses.
The history of smoking in cinema goes back decades, but in contemporary cinema, this technique is used significantly less frequently than in films of the last century—in part due to changes in smoking legislation and social and ethical issues.
In certain cases, scenes of smoking or cigarette displays can serve as an additional expressive device for character development, plot development, or maintaining historical accuracy.