I’m writing this in the summer for a reason: According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), adolescent substance initiation — particularly smoking and drinking — spikes during these months. And let's not forget the major surge of Zyns and other nicotine pouches among teens. 

Summer also means more downtime for young people, which often translates into increased screen time — more movies, more shows, and more exposure to what’s trending.

And here’s something that’s genuinely upsetting: cigarette smoking is making a major media comeback. But before I unpack that, here’s the bottom line — smoking among older teens is on the rise.

This has come up a lot in recent conversations I’ve had with college-aged youth. Many have noticed a significant increase in cigarette use among their peers. When I asked why, here’s what I heard:

• Some say it’s about rebellion — a way to stand out or push back.
  
  
• One person told me their friends are using cigarettes to quit vaping. That surprised me. The logic? You can vape anywhere, even secretly. But with cigarettes, you’re more restricted — it forces boundaries.

And now we’re seeing a surge of cigarette imagery in entertainment — from films to music videos. Even Beyoncé lit up onstage during her “Ya Ya” performance. It was bold. And yes, it made headlines.

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Here are just a few examples from pop culture right now:

• "Materialists" (Film) – Dakota Johnson’s character smokes stylishly. It’s part of her edge.
  
  
• Addison Rae – “Headphones On” (Song) – She sings about needing a cigarette. It signals pain and cool.
  
  
• Lorde – “What Was That” (Song) – Smoking is tied to a romantic memory. It feels wistful.
  
  
• "The Bear" (TV Series) – Characters smoke often. It adds grit and stress.
  
  
• “Friendship” (Film) – Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd smoke.
  
  
• “And Just Like That” (TV Series) – Seema smokes confidently.
  
  
• Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild” (Music Video) – She uses a fork as a cigarette holder.
  
  
• Real Housewives – Stars like Dorit Kemsley are often shown smoking, which has led to viral moments.

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And here’s a final point that really stuck with me: According to the Truth Initiative, 9 out of 10 Oscar Best Picture nominees in 2024 featured smoking.

We can’t ignore how powerful the media is in shaping norms. 

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Tools to quit tobacco products

The Truth Initiative has many resources to help teens quit smoking, and that is why we spotlight them in Screenagers: Under The Influence.

It would not be a bad idea to take a quick look at their website with any kids in your life. Make them aware of the info on the site and system they have to help people quit. 

Their site reports that teen participants were 35% more likely to quit vaping by seven months, with 37.8% abstaining versus 28% in controls.

Teens can join by texting EXPROGRAM to 88709

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Questions to get the conversation started:

1. Why do you think substance initiation is higher in summer than non non-summer? (Some reasons are more social gatherings and less supervision)
2. Have you seen teens smoking cigarettes?
3. What smoking have we seen in movies?
4. What resources for quitting tobacco products have you seen mentioned in the media?

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