The Hidden Habit: Celebrities Who Still Smoke and Vape
Despite widespread public health campaigns and increasing awareness about the dangers of tobacco, numerous celebrities continue to indulge in smoking and vaping. From Hollywood actors to chart-topping musicians and even wellness advocates, many famous faces maintain this controversial habit, often keeping it hidden from public view.
Why Celebrities Continue Smoking
The pressures of fame, demanding careers, and navigating personal struggles under constant media scrutiny contribute to why so many celebrities turn to cigarettes. Whether dealing with stressful work schedules, managing public relationship breakdowns, or simply seeking a nicotine release during social occasions, smoking remains a surprisingly common practice among the rich and famous.
Kylie Jenner: Social Media Backlash
Kylie Jenner faced significant criticism when she appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair's Spring issue with a lit cigarette between her lips. The 28-year-old billionaire businesswoman was photographed sitting on a bed edge, preparing to light up, which many social media users condemned as glamorizing smoking. Earlier in the year, Jenner had already shown her smoking habit in Charli XCX's music video "Residue," where she briefly puffed on a cigarette while looking directly at the camera.
Reality Television Revelations
Dorit Kemsley from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills shocked viewers in 2024 when she lit a cigarette during an emotional conversation about her separation from husband Paul 'PK' Kemsley. The 49-year-old television personality smoked in her car while discussing the marriage breakdown with co-star Erika Jayne, marking the first time she had been seen smoking on the series despite her previous claims about not smoking.
Jennifer Aniston's On-Again, Off-Again Habit
Despite her wholesome public image and wellness advocacy, Jennifer Aniston has a documented history with cigarettes. The 57-year-old actress was once a chain smoker, consuming a pack daily during her early career. Although she publicly quit in 2007, citing health concerns, she was photographed smoking during her 2022 birthday celebrations in a video posted by ex-husband Justin Theroux that was quickly deleted from social media.
Young Stars and Parental Disapproval
Jenna Ortega faced backlash from fans and her own mother after being photographed smoking cigarettes in London while filming Beetlejuice 2 in 2023. The 23-year-old actress's mother, Natalie Ortega, who works as a nurse, responded by posting numerous health warnings about smoking on her Instagram Story, including images of dental damage and sarcastic memes about tobacco's effects.
Model Behavior and Smoking
Supermodel Bella Hadid, known for her beauty and fashion influence, has been photographed smoking at high-profile events including the Cannes Film Festival and the 2017 Met Gala. The 29-year-old model admitted starting smoking at age 14 and consuming a pack daily before attempting to quit cigarettes in 2017 and vapes in 2019.
Hollywood Couples and Smoking Relapses
Kirsten Dunst and husband Jesse Plemons have both struggled with smoking habits throughout their relationship. Dunst, 43, revealed she had quit before meeting Plemons but resumed smoking when they worked together. Despite claiming they both quit before having children, both actors were photographed smoking at the 2024 Oscars and during a London festival in summer 2024.
Ben Affleck's Persistent Habit
Ben Affleck has maintained a smoking habit since 2002, reportedly consuming a pack daily. Neither of his ex-wives, Jennifer Lopez nor Jennifer Garner, succeeded in getting him to quit permanently. Garner banned smoking around their children, and Lopez reportedly grew frustrated with what she called his "nasty cigarettes" during their marriage.
Musicians and On-Stage Smoking
Singer Lana Del Rey frequently incorporates smoking into her public persona, sometimes lighting cigarettes during performances. More recently, she has switched to vaping, even sharing a vape with husband Jeremy Dufrene shortly after their wedding. The singer has become known for misplacing her vaping device during concerts, interrupting shows to search for it.
Wellness Advocates with Smoking Secrets
Even health-conscious celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow have admitted to smoking. The 53-year-old actress and wellness entrepreneur confessed in 2013 that she allowed herself one American Spirit cigarette weekly. Although she has since quit, Paltrow admitted on a 2022 podcast that she sometimes misses smoking when reflecting on her younger years.
The Ongoing Celebrity Smoking Phenomenon
These examples reveal that despite public health messaging and personal wellness branding, smoking remains prevalent among celebrities. The habit persists across generations of stars, from established actors to younger performers, often hidden from public view but occasionally revealed through paparazzi photos, social media posts, or candid moments. As health awareness continues to grow, the contrast between celebrity lifestyles and their smoking habits becomes increasingly striking.
