"As for the herbal cigarettes, for the most part I don't smoke as much as the guys do. I'm usually just strutting around a bit more so I don't actually have to be inhaling it. I'm lucky because I do have scenes where the cigarettes work beautifully to punctuate certain things I'm saying"

Christina Hendricks discusses her experience with herbal cigarettes while filming, highlighting a few layers of both her personal habits and the mechanics of acting. She contrasts her own smoking with that of her male colleagues, suggesting that the male cast members tend to smoke more frequently or in greater quantities during scenes. Her own approach is more measured; rather than constantly smoking, she is actively moving—“strutting around”—within her performance. This movement serves as both a practical method to avoid inhaling too much smoke and an artistic choice, allowing her to embody her character physically without dependence on the cigarette as a prop at all times.

The herbal cigarettes, which are often used in film and television in place of tobacco to avoid the health risks associated with nicotine, become tools of performance rather than sources of pleasure or addiction. Hendricks points out how the cigarette’s function goes beyond realism: it’s not necessary for her to mirror the incessant smoking habits of the era her character inhabits. Instead, the way she uses the cigarette is strategic. When she does choose to use it, it is for specific purposes—punctuating her lines, emphasizing emotions, or making a statement through gesture. The cigarette thus becomes a kind of emphasis or exclamation point within her performance, rather than a constant accessory.

She also acknowledges a certain sense of luck or gratitude, as her scenes are written or staged so that the presence of the cigarette is meaningful rather than obligatory. This grants her more control over her performance and her health, avoiding unnecessary inhalation while still delivering an authentic portrayal. Through her words, Hendricks draws attention to the thoughtful choreography and subtle decision-making that underpins on-screen smoking, demonstrating how even small props can carry significant weight in shaping a character and scene.