When reading through anti smoking literature, celebrity smoking is oftentimes credited with being an alluring act. Later on, smoking celebrities were seen as being partially to blame for leading so many younger people astray and causing them to light up as well. The list of celebrity smokers – then and now – is long and distinguished. Who does not remember Humphrey Bogart (the famous actor who suffered and died from esophageal cancer at the age of only 57) who is rarely depicted without a burning cigarette? When it comes to celebrities who smoke his picture is almost always the one that comes to mind first. As a matter of fact, his smoking was such an integral part of his personality that the term “bogart” became synonymous with hogging a smoke rather than passing it on to someone else to enjoy.

Modern day celebrities smoking are often noted with a mix of disdain and a knowing nod of the head when the past or present drug use of these smoking stars is revealed. Take for example actress Drew Barrymore, whose smoking addiction does not come as a surprise to those who are aware of her drug use. Current culinary traveler Anthony Bourdain is another of the modern day celebrities whose show is well received and who are rarely depicted without a smoke. Stories of his drug use encompass any number of illicit drugs, and once again he adds to the infamous male celebrity smoking list his name, success, and shady background. Which stars smoke cigarettes is sometimes a bit like ferreting out a who’s who of the smoking celebrity set. While in the past the cigarette made a smoking celebrity by providing an image for them, such as was the case with Lucille Ball, who once was a Chesterfield Girl herself, or Bette Davis and Sammy Davis, Jr. Their smoking celebrity status in part was amplified by their smoking in movies and during shows, but to a lesser part it was made their persona by being added to that celebrity smoking list that made the habit look cool, calm, and hip.

Today’s smoking celebrity tries hard to hide the fact that they light up. Take for example Lindsey Lohan who is a successful singer with a platinum album as well as a wide reaching actor career. When she embarked to participate in an anti-teen smoking campaign it seriously damaged her reputation when it became known that she as a smoker herself. Even though she decided to quit after the hoopla, the damage to her reputation was done. While a smoking celebrity may no longer be charged with subverting the teens of today, the stars who smoke do note that their habit is viewed with disfavor. Those who do not want to hide their habits may actually go so far as to publish posed pictures of celebrities smoking pot or openly engage in discourses about what brand of cigarettes celebrities smoke. While celebrities smoking pot is still a taboo subject, celebrity cigarette smokers bemoan the fact that unless celebrities who quit smoking showcase their struggles, they will most likely we vilified for their habit.