What's with the herbal cigarettes?

"People who are non-smokers, as probably most singers are non-smokers...really don't want to become addicted to smoking...therefore, herbal cigarettes are a better alternative."

I wouldn't think that would matter, though, since I doubt that any of them inhale. They probably just take a quick drag and blow it out.

I appreciated the smoking onstage, it made the experience more visceral...Of course, now i have have the *Hem, Hem* black lung and will of course be suing...

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do actors have the choice? personally I would much prefer the fake cigarettes. why endanger everyone's health for the sake of authenticity??? use your imagination people...

in city of angels we actually used real cigarettes... when i did cabaret we used these fake cigarettes that you didn't even have to inhale anything, you could just make them blow out smoke... they were cool

funny, my mom was bothered by the cigarettes in Piazza- she kept covering her nose. I didnt even smell them.

On her website Susan Egan mentioned that she smoked Capris cigarettes in "Cabaret" because the herbals killed her chords, although most other actors prefer them.

I wonder how much of a say the actors have in this matter. I know that I wouldn't ever want to smoke any kind of cigarette, real or herbal, on stage. Hmmm...

~Steven

Updated On: 7/22/05 at 02:09 AM

I'll have to remember to bring my inhaler when I see it in August.

I smoked for many years before FINALLY being able to quit entirely in '96. Since then I've become more and more sensitive to tobacco smoke. So much so that now I have a hard time staying in a room in which smokers have ever stayed. I can't even stand next to a smoker on the subway or bus. I really never thought I'd be that way but if I am around smokers I find myself holding my breath until I can get away. If I were sitting in the front of the theatre and real cigarettes were being smoked, I'd have to leave. I'm just not able to be around it anymore.

I really do wish they'd just do away with it altogether. Smoking herbal or fake cigarettes on stage just delivers a subliminal message to younger viewers that it's really all right to smoke. Believe me - I'd do anything to undo my old addiction. I can't do that, but I can hope to keep others from getting it!

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Lighting one up even as I type.

OMG! I never knew actors actually smoke on stage! even though it's better than the addicticting ones I still don't like the ideas and won't it kill the actors voice??/ Very surprising....