The Cultural Imprint of Vaping in Film and Television: From Rebel Symbol to Modern Prop
Hollywood’s Visual Language of Vaping: From Nicotine to Narrative Device
Vaping has evolved from a niche smoking alternative into a potent storytelling tool in Western media. Early appearances, such as Johnny Depp’s character in The Tourist (2010) using an e-cigarette on a train, framed vaping as a symbol of modern sophistication—a tech-savvy, health-conscious alternative to traditional smoking. This portrayal shifted in later years, with films like Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) integrating vaping into futuristic aesthetics, where characters exhaled neon-hued vapor to emphasize a dystopian, hyper-stylized world.
Television series further cemented vaping’s cultural relevance. In House of Cards (2014), Kevin Spacey’s Frank Underwood wields an e-cigarette during power plays, subtly linking the device to control and ambition. Similarly, Billions (2016–present) features characters using vaping as a tool for stress relief during high-stakes financial negotiations, blending the act with themes of addiction and self-discipline. These scenes rarely focus on the devices themselves but instead use them to amplify character traits, turning vaping into a silent yet impactful narrative device.
Vaping as a Marker of Identity in Genre Storytelling
The genre of a film or show often dictates how vaping is portrayed. In action thrillers like Baby Driver (2017), a waitress character’s vaping habit becomes a visual shorthand for her rebellious, carefree persona, contrasting with the protagonist’s rigid discipline. Conversely, in horror series like Z Nation (2015–2018), vaping is deployed for dark humor—a character’s attempt to vape during a zombie apocalypse highlights the absurdity of maintaining trivial habits in extreme circumstances.
Crime dramas, however, treat vaping with nuance. True Detective (2014–present) uses it to signal a character’s transition from old-school toughness to modern vulnerability, while Deadliest Catch (2005–present), a documentary-style series about Alaskan fishermen, occasionally captures crew members vaping during downtime, framing it as a coping mechanism for the grueling physical labor. These examples reveal how vaping’s meaning shifts based on context, acting as a bridge between personal identity and environmental pressures.
The Double-Edged Sword: Vaping’s Role in Health Narratives
Media’s portrayal of vaping is increasingly intertwined with public health debates. The HBO miniseries Euphoria (2019–present) features a supporting character nicknamed “Vape Girl,” whose constant use of flavored pods becomes a metaphor for youthful escapism and self-destruction. The show’s unflinching depiction of nicotine addiction sparks conversations about vaping’s risks, particularly among adolescents. Similarly, the legal drama Easttown Mare (2021) shows Kate Winslet’s detective character vaping as a stress reliever, subtly critiquing societal norms that normalize substance use as a coping strategy.
Documentaries and public service announcements take a harder stance. The Chinese microfilm A Moment of Choice (2025) uses a college student’s descent into drug addiction via vape pens laced with synthetic cannabinoids to warn of emerging threats. By contrast, The Invisible Frontline (2025), a police procedural from Fujian Province, dramatizes the dangers of “zombie vapes” containing illegal substances, urging viewers to view vaping through a lens of caution rather than trendiness. These narratives reflect growing global concern over vaping’s health implications, pushing media to balance artistic expression with ethical responsibility.
From Screen to Street: Vaping’s Cultural Ripple Effect
The visibility of vaping in media has influenced real-world behavior, creating a feedback loop between fiction and reality. Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio, often photographed vaping at public events, inadvertently became ambassadors for the trend, normalizing its use among fans. This phenomenon mirrors earlier cigarette endorsements but with a twist—vaping’s association with technology and harm reduction gives it a veneer of progressivism, even as debates over its safety persist.
Television tropes have also shaped societal perceptions. The “cool factor” of vaping, as seen in shows like Lucifer (2016–2021), where the titular character vapes to exude nonchalance, has contributed to its adoption among younger demographics. However, counter-narratives are emerging: the sitcom 2 Broke Girls (2011–2017) satirizes vaping culture by portraying patrons as pretentious trend-chasers, highlighting the tension between authenticity and performative consumption.
As media continues to grapple with vaping’s complexities, its on-screen presence serves as both a mirror and a catalyst for cultural change. Whether framed as a symbol of rebellion, a health crutch, or a dangerous gateway, vaping’s role in film and television underscores its enduring relevance in the 21st century’s evolving landscape of identity and risk.