Open Forum

​Good afternoon everyone,

The question has been brought to my attention for an answer regarding smoking on stage as part of a performance. Our University has a No Smoking policy for all of campus. Smoking of any kind is prohibited including vapor and Herbal cigarettes. This makes it tough to put on a play based on a 1970's Café scene where smoking was always the norm in any of those kinds of establishments during that time. With our policy in mind, are there any options available to make it look like the actors are smoking without violating our Campus and State policy?

------------------------------
Douglas Stretch
Fire and Life Safety Officer II
Illinois State University
Normal IL
------------------------------

Depending on what you need the cigarettes to do, and your budget, I'd look at a few different options:
-fake cigarettes often used as party accessories, but with "ash" on the ends
-fake cigarettes with an LED built in
-cigarette tubes, which are just empty cigarettes

Amazon and some party supply stores carry these.

------------------------------
Sydney Thiessen
Fine & Performing Arts Coordinator and Technical Director
Reynolds High School
Troutdale OR
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-31-2018 17:21
From: Douglas Stretch
Subject: Smoking on Stage options

​Good afternoon everyone,

The question has been brought to my attention for an answer regarding smoking on stage as part of a performance. Our University has a No Smoking policy for all of campus. Smoking of any kind is prohibited including vapor and Herbal cigarettes. This makes it tough to put on a play based on a 1970's Café scene where smoking was always the norm in any of those kinds of establishments during that time. With our policy in mind, are there any options available to make it look like the actors are smoking without violating our Campus and State policy?

------------------------------
Douglas Stretch
Fire and Life Safety Officer II
Illinois State University
Normal IL
------------------------------

Original Message------

​Good afternoon everyone,

The question has been brought to my attention for an answer regarding smoking on stage as part of a performance. Our University has a No Smoking policy for all of campus. Smoking of any kind is prohibited including vapor and Herbal cigarettes. This makes it tough to put on a play based on a 1970's Café scene where smoking was always the norm in any of those kinds of establishments during that time. With our policy in mind, are there any options available to make it look like the actors are smoking without violating our Campus and State policy?

------------------------------
Douglas Stretch
Fire and Life Safety Officer II
Illinois State University
Normal IL
------------------------------

I highly recommend the Actor's Cigarette. While it's similar to a vape pen, the contents are completely inert. I've used this several times; it looks great on stage and doesn't cause any issues with the actor. Because of the contents, you may be able to get around your state's laws--I equate it to a tiny, mouth-held fog machine. :) 

https://www.newrulefx.com/collections/actor-cigarette

------------------------------
Patrick McGuire
Drama Director
Round Lake High School
Round Lake, IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2018 08:18
From: Mark A. Zimmerman
Subject: Smoking on Stage options

We use fake cigarettes and it works fine. Bought them at the costume shop/novelty store.

--

Mark A. Zimmerman

Theatre Director,

Akron School for the Arts

Firestone High School

470 Castle Blvd

Akron, Ohio 44313

330-761-3275

FirestoneTheatre.com

Original Message------

​Good afternoon everyone,

The question has been brought to my attention for an answer regarding smoking on stage as part of a performance. Our University has a No Smoking policy for all of campus. Smoking of any kind is prohibited including vapor and Herbal cigarettes. This makes it tough to put on a play based on a 1970's Café scene where smoking was always the norm in any of those kinds of establishments during that time. With our policy in mind, are there any options available to make it look like the actors are smoking without violating our Campus and State policy?

------------------------------
Douglas Stretch
Fire and Life Safety Officer II
Illinois State University
Normal IL
------------------------------

I'm mentioning this only because I've seen it on stage too many times, especially nowadays with all the rules and regulations. If the cigarettes are so realistic that they will fool the audience, you will have a bunch of people lose their focus on the story and ask each other, "Are those real?"

The play is not about cigarettes -- it's about the story. You were correct in that people back then smoked all the time and everywhere, so nobody paid any attention to it. That's what you want here: it looks right, so nobody needs to pay attention to it.

------------------------------
George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.com
www.georgefledo.net
http://astore.amazon.com/sdtbookstore-20
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2018 09:46
From: Patrick McGuire
Subject: Smoking on Stage options

I highly recommend the Actor's Cigarette. While it's similar to a vape pen, the contents are completely inert. I've used this several times; it looks great on stage and doesn't cause any issues with the actor. Because of the contents, you may be able to get around your state's laws--I equate it to a tiny, mouth-held fog machine. :)

https://www.newrulefx.com/collections/actor-cigarette

------------------------------
Patrick McGuire
Drama Director
Round Lake High School
Round Lake, IL

Original Message:
Sent: 02-01-2018 08:18
From: Mark A. Zimmerman
Subject: Smoking on Stage options

We use fake cigarettes and it works fine. Bought them at the costume shop/novelty store.

--

Mark A. Zimmerman

Theatre Director,

Akron School for the Arts

Firestone High School

470 Castle Blvd

Akron, Ohio 44313

330-761-3275

FirestoneTheatre.com

Original Message------

​Good afternoon everyone,

The question has been brought to my attention for an answer regarding smoking on stage as part of a performance. Our University has a No Smoking policy for all of campus. Smoking of any kind is prohibited including vapor and Herbal cigarettes. This makes it tough to put on a play based on a 1970's Café scene where smoking was always the norm in any of those kinds of establishments during that time. With our policy in mind, are there any options available to make it look like the actors are smoking without violating our Campus and State policy?

------------------------------
Douglas Stretch
Fire and Life Safety Officer II
Illinois State University
Normal IL
------------------------------

​Good morning everyone,

Thank you all for replying to this post and giving me some Great ideas! I will check on Amazon and also our Party City store in town and give them some options. I appreciate the members of this forum and your knowledge and experience. Keep up the Great work!

------------------------------
Douglas Stretch
Fire and Life Safety Officer II
Illinois State University
Normal IL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-31-2018 17:21
From: Douglas Stretch
Subject: Smoking on Stage options

​Good afternoon everyone,

The question has been brought to my attention for an answer regarding smoking on stage as part of a performance. Our University has a No Smoking policy for all of campus. Smoking of any kind is prohibited including vapor and Herbal cigarettes. This makes it tough to put on a play based on a 1970's Café scene where smoking was always the norm in any of those kinds of establishments during that time. With our policy in mind, are there any options available to make it look like the actors are smoking without violating our Campus and State policy?

------------------------------
Douglas Stretch
Fire and Life Safety Officer II
Illinois State University
Normal IL
------------------------------