James Bond's smoking habits have long been a subject of intrigue, as they reflect both the character's traits from the original Ian Fleming novels and broader cinematic trends. Smoking, a significant activity for Bond in the books, was initially translated to the big screen. In early films, Bond is often seen smoking, mirroring society's then-common view of smoking as glamorous.
The original Ian Fleming books brought Bond's heavy smoking to life, with some scenes describing Bond's consumption of 70 cigarettes a day. This reflects Fleming's own habits and perceptions of smoking during his lifetime. Bond's smoking becomes part of key plot points, notably in 'From Russia with Love', where a cigarette aids Bond's escape.
Over the decades, as public attitudes toward smoking have shifted, so too has its portrayal in Bond films. Roger Moore's Bond, for instance, switched from cigarettes to cigars due to the actor's real-life preferences, demonstrating how off-screen influences affected on-screen depictions.
Timothy Dalton's portrayal brought smoking back, emphasizing a return to Fleming's roots. However, with the declining societal acceptance of smoking due to health awareness, subsequent Bonds, such as Pierce Brosnan's and Daniel Craig's, abstained from smoking entirely on screen. The evolving portrayal aligns with public health campaigns and changing norms in cinema.
The shift from cigarettes to cigars for Bond reflects regulatory and societal views about smoking, influencing choices around how such vices are depicted in mass-appeal films today. Consequently, Bond's depiction has changed from a routine smoker to a character aligned with modern health attitudes, likely avoiding the risk of more restrictive film ratings.