Smoking has long held a complex place in human culture — a ritual, a symbol, and a habit. Across centuries, it has appeared in art, literature, and film as a mark of rebellion, sophistication, intimacy, or contemplation. The slow curl of smoke can feel almost poetic, a visual metaphor for time passing or thoughts drifting.

Yet behind the imagery lies a stark reality — smoking is a major cause of preventable disease and death. This tension between aesthetic representation and health consequence makes smoking a powerful, sometimes controversial subject in creative expression. Artists often use it not to glorify the act, but to explore deeper themes: addiction, identity, nostalgia, or the fleeting nature of life.