Top 5 Vape Pop Culture Appearances
As the popularity of vaping has increased over the years, we are not surprised to see vapes presenting themselves more and more in different aspects of pop culture. The fact that vaping is considered by many to be a safer, less stigmatized way for users to consume their tobacco, nicotine or cannabis, has contributed to its increasing popularity and presence in mainstream media. From celebrity podcasts to movies to music videos, vaping seems to be everywhere these days. Let’s take a look at the top 5 (in no particular order) pop culture appearances featuring vapes in recent times.
#1 - Vaping Scene in a Movie
Credit: Screenshot from Youtube – Shadeofitall
Vaping in the movies today is not quite as popular as smoking cigarettes on the big screen was in the 50’s and 60’s but there is no denying that movie scripts with vaping scenes are becoming more commonplace in current pop culture. In the 2022 film, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Wang, a Chinese immigrant who gets caught up in an unusual adventure spanning multiple parallel universes. During a fight scene in the film, Wang’s nemesis, Jobu Tupaki, uses the barrel of a gun as a vape and there is another scene in which Wang herself tries vaping. Luckily, in this universe, there is no need to use a gun as a vape when you have technologically advanced options like the Plenty readily available today.
#2 - Music Video Vape Appearance
Credit: Screenshot from Youtube – No Brainer by DJ Khaled
Music videos, Hip Hop/R&B videos in particular, have become a hotspot for vape features and vaping product placements over the last decade. Popular entertainers like DJ Khaled typically have models using vapes in their music videos. An estimated 40-50% of videos in this genre show some form of smoking and/or vaping. The video for No Brainer by DJ Khaled is a classic example of this where we see beautiful video vixen models and even DJ Khaled himself vaping at various intervals throughout the video. Many vape sellers pay to have their products featured in these music videos and/or have endorsement deals with popular artistes. We would love to see more aesthetically interesting vape devices like the Vong in some music videos too.
#3 - Podcast Popularity & Vaping
Credit: Screenshot from Youtube – Podcast
Joe Rogan is a well known UFC commentator, podcaster and marijuana advocate. The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE) podcast was rated number 1 of the top 10 most popular podcasts of 2022. An estimated 11 million people listen to each of his episodes. On episode #101 of the JRE Rogan and then co-host Brian Redban discuss the use of vaporizers in great detail. Their conversation was focused on the German made Volcano Vaporizer in particular as Rogan tells his audience how the vaporizer works and remarks that vapes are for “health conscious stoners”. He was very clear in expressing that he would rather pay more for a top quality vaporizer like the Volcano than one that is cheaper but of lesser / doubtful quality.
#4 - Video Game featuring Vaping
Credit: Mod The Sims
The Sims is undoubtedly one of the most popular computer video games of our time. The game allows you to create and customize your character using a plethora of built-in customization options as well as expansion packs and mods available for additional purchase. The Sims 4 introduced the ability for users to unlock a ‘bubbles blower’ – an item that functions very much like a vape, giving flavor options such as Plum Fairy Fizz or Cosmic Encounter. Gamers can also purchase a vape mod reminiscent of the Arizer Air MAX in the game to have a simulated vaping experience.
#5- TV Show Starring Vape
Credit : Screenshot from Swatch Series
A great example of vaping being featured in a modern TV Show is Netflix’s Grand Army. The series is about 5 teenage students from different backgrounds attending a large high school in Brooklyn, New York. In season 1, episode 6, characters Omar and Leila are seen vaping marijuana together. From the scene we can conclude that it is Leila’s first time vaping as Omar reassures her by saying “it’s just like a mellow feeling. I promise” and he also tells her that vaping is odorless so there is no reason for them to hide when she asks if he can smell [marijuana on] her. The featured vapor has a sleek modern design similar to the Arizer Air MAX with its rapid heating technology and super long battery life.
There you have it, the top 5 vape pop culture appearances. Will vaping become as popular as cigarettes were in the 60s? That is yet to be seen but one thing is certain – we can expect to see even more vaping showcased and popularized in mainstream media in the near future.
