If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or scrolled through the "Short n' Sweet" era aesthetics lately, you’ve probably seen it. A grainy, high-fashion photo of Sabrina Carpenter leaning over a sink, a cigarette dangling from her fingers. Or maybe you caught her "Manchild" music video where she’s casually holding a smoke while looking like a vintage doll.
It’s a vibe. It’s Americana. But is it real?
When a pop star of this level starts using tobacco as a prop, the internet goes into a total tailspin. People want to know: does Sabrina Carpenter smoke cigarettes for real, or is this just another layer of the theatrical "it-girl" persona she’s perfected?
Honestly, the answer is a lot more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
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The Viral Photos That Started the Smoking Debate
The spark that lit this particular fire came largely from a series of high-profile creative projects. In early 2025, Sabrina did a shoot for Interview Magazine that was steeped in old-school Hollywood grit. In several shots, she’s holding a cigarette or wearing a corset literally constructed out of cigarette packs.
It looked cool. Very "Brat Summer" adjacent.
Then came the "Manchild" music video. Set in a stylized trailer park/dive bar world, the video uses smoking as a narrative device to ground the character in that specific, grimy aesthetic. You see her with a cigarette, and in one famously whimsical scene, a squirrel is even smoking.
When fans saw these images, the reaction was split. Half the fans were worried about her vocal cords—because, let’s be real, you don’t hit those "Espresso" high notes by being a pack-a-day smoker. The other half was convinced she was just playing a character.
What the Experts and Insiders Say
If you look closely at the footage from her videos, something stands out to people who actually know about tobacco. She rarely inhales.
In most of these scenes, the cigarette isn't even lit, or the smoke is clearly drifting from a prop. Hollywood is famous for using herbal cigarettes—basically tubes of marshmallow leaf, clover, or rose petals—that look like the real thing on camera but don't contain nicotine or tobacco.
Film director David Ma has talked about this "Hollywood trickery" on TikTok, explaining that almost no modern production makes an actor smoke real cigarettes anymore because of health regulations and the sheer number of takes required. One Interview Magazine photo even featured her with a Louis Vuitton "cigar" that looked more like a piece of art than something you’d actually light up.
Sabrina’s Own Words on Habits and "Vices"
Sabrina isn't usually one to post a 10-paragraph "notes app" apology for her creative choices, but she has dropped some major hints about her personal life. In a 2025 interview with Rolling Stone, she was actually asked about substances.
She was surprisingly blunt.
She told the magazine that she stays "weed-free" because it "literally makes me nothing." She also mentioned a very specific pet peeve: "I don't like the smell of it on clothing. I like things that smell good."
If someone is that sensitive to the smell of smoke on their clothes, it’s a pretty safe bet they aren't regularly lighting up Marlboros in their spare time. She did admit that she’s not a total saint—she joked that her song "Bed Chem" was written while she was "a little tipsy" on alcohol—but cigarettes? They don't seem to fit the brand.
The "Paul Simon" Incident
There’s another weirdly specific piece of evidence that suggests Sabrina is actually pretty anti-smoking. During an SNL special, she performed a duet with the legendary Paul Simon.
Lorne Michaels later revealed in an interview with USA Today that the original lyrics to the song were "cigarettes and magazines." Sabrina actually asked to change the lyric because she didn't want to sing the word "cigarettes."
Michaels noted that it was a "generation gap" thing, but it’s a massive clue. If she won't even say the word in a classic song, it's highly unlikely she's puffing away backstage.
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Why the Smoking Imagery Still Matters
So, if she doesn't smoke, why use it in her art?
Basically, it’s about the aesthetic. Pop stars like Sabrina, Charli XCX, and Lorde have been leaning into "dirty" or "vintage" imagery lately as a rebellion against the hyper-polished, "clean girl" aesthetic of the early 2020s.
It’s called "Cigfluencing."
- The Vintage Factor: Cigarettes evoke a 1960s/70s cinematic feel that fits her retro-pop sound.
- The Rebellion: It adds a layer of "bad girl" edge to her otherwise sweet, Disney-alumni image.
- The Prop: Like a pair of sunglasses or a designer bag, it’s just a tool to tell a story.
However, health advocates aren't thrilled. Groups like Truth Initiative have pointed out that even "prop" smoking in music videos can glamorize the habit for younger fans. While Sabrina might just be playing a role, the visual impact is real.
Her Actual Health Routine (The Non-Smoking Version)
If you look at how Sabrina Carpenter actually lives, it’s the polar opposite of a smoker's lifestyle. She tours relentlessly, which is basically an athletic feat.
She’s been vocal about her love for Pilates and strength training. You can't have the lung capacity to dance for two hours while singing live if your lungs are full of tar. She also famously swears by a daily green tea habit—specifically for the "anti-inflammatory" benefits and the natural energy boost.
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She uses infrared saunas for recovery and is obsessive about her haircare routine (which, again, would be ruined by the lingering smell of tobacco smoke).
The Bottom Line
Is Sabrina Carpenter a smoker?
No. All evidence points to the cigarettes being nothing more than theatrical props. From her refusal to sing the word "cigarette" on SNL to her public comments about hating the smell of smoke on clothes, she seems pretty firmly in the non-smoker camp.
She’s an actress at heart. She’s playing a part, creating a mood, and building a world for her music. It just happens that in the world of Short n' Sweet, a little bit of smoke makes for a better photo.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Don't mistake the "aesthetic" for reality. Just because a star uses a prop in a 3-minute video doesn't mean it's part of their 24/7 life.
- Focus on the vocals. If you're a singer, notice that Sabrina prioritizes her lung health and vocal range by staying away from habits that would damage her "instrument."
- Watch the "prop" signs. Next time you see a celeb smoking in a video, look for the lack of embers or the way the smoke moves; usually, it's a nicotine-free herbal substitute used for safety on set.