After nearly three years of sobriety from nicotine, the struggle is real. According to a personal tracking app, the transition from smoking a pack a day (1991–2016) and heavy vaping to total abstinence has been an uphill battle. While staying quit is a massive achievement, the cravings remain a constant, daily presence.

The triggers are everywhere: the smell of smoke in the neighborhood, seeing someone on TV, or even just having a cup of coffee. For a former smoker, the mere sight of a cigarette can be overwhelming. This difficulty has led to a unique request for the gaming industry: it is time for developers to implement a cigarette-free mode.

The Rise of Smoking in Modern Gaming

It isn't just real life causing these cravings; digital environments are increasingly filled with nicotine use. While cigarettes have long been staples in gritty titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Disco Elysium, there is a noticeable trend appearing in more casual, "friendslop" style games.

Recent examples of smoking in games include:

  • RV There Yet?: Features travelers puffing on cigarettes.
  • Burglin' Gnomes: Shows mischievous gnomes smoking under beds.
  • Gamble With Your Friends: Includes smoking as a dedicated emote.

As these elements become more common, they act as unintended psychological triggers for those trying to maintain their sobriety.

Requesting an "Arachnophobia Mode" for Nicotine

In the same way that many modern titles include an arachnophobia mode to help players avoid spiders, game developers should consider a toggle to replace tobacco products with non-addictive alternatives. This "anti-smoke" setting could swap out cigarettes for items that don't trigger intense cravings.

Creative Alternatives for Developers

If developers implemented a way to hide or replace smoking animations, they could use various humorous or harmless objects such as:

  • Lollipops (a classic tool for those quitting nicotine)
  • Pretzel rods or toothpicks
  • Drinking straws or slide-whistles
  • Kazoos

Instead of the visual cue of a plume of smoke, games could utilize less evocative effects like bubbles, feathers, or dandelion seeds—or simply remove the effect entirely.

A Warning to Future Smokers

While the goal is to mitigate cravings for those who have already quit, the message remains clear for everyone else: avoid nicotine if you can. Smoking might seem satisfying in the moment, but it eventually takes a toll on your lungs, your teeth, and your bank account.

Whether it is traditional cigarettes or vaping, the process of quitting is a grueling experience. By implementing thoughtful accessibility features, game developers can help players enjoy their digital worlds without being constantly reminded of an addiction they are fighting to leave behind.