Red Dead Redemption 2 was a blockbuster game, a masterpiece both visually and in terms of realism. It encapsulated everything good about the old Wild West and some of the not-so-good. It broke player records and was both lauded as an example of modern gaming and criticized for its depiction of smoking.
It seems strange that an element added for realism, cigarette smoking, could be controversial, but it was. One mission, where the protagonist Arthur Morgan had to collect cigarette cards, was especially criticized. It involved buying cigarettes from shops, but you could only hold so many, leading to some players chain-smoking them to get rid. It is only a video game, but does it have an influence?
If so, then Rockstar is as bad as big tobacco companies because characters in their Grand Theft Auto games have been seen smoking for years. They’re not alone – three of the 13 soldiers players can control in Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty are smokers. While developers try to limit the exposure of young people to characters smoking, it is a futile gesture. Call of Duty: Black Ops III is rated as mature, with characters seen smoking, but many under-18s play the title.
If smoking is so prevalent in video games, what is the risk, specifically to the gamers, that it appears to influence?
Smoking among gamers
Interestingly, there does seem to be an increased prevalence of smoking among gamers; of participants in a survey who reported smoking, 74.5% also reported playing video games compared with 60.4% of non-smokers. That seems to indicate a slight upturn in the number of smokers who are gamers and vice versa.
Smoking can have a significant and often overlooked impact on gamers, affecting both their physical health and cognitive abilities; the most immediate impact of smoking on gamers is the potential reduction in lung capacity and cardiovascular health. Smoking leads to the accumulation of tar and other harmful substances in the lungs, which can result in long-term illnesses such as lung cancer.
Beyond the physical effects, smoking has been linked to cognitive impairments also. While some gamers may perceive a short-term boost in focus and attention, chronic smoking can lead to long-term cognitive decline, affecting memory, problem-solving skills, and overall cognitive function. These problems can be particularly detrimental in gaming scenarios where split-second decisions and sharp reflexes are crucial.
Finally, the impact of smoking on sleep quality is another aspect that can affect gamers. Many gamers engage in extended play sessions, especially chasing those collectibles on Red Dead Redemption, and smoking can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insufficient rest. Poor sleep quality has been associated with decreased reaction times, impaired decision-making, and a higher likelihood of making mistakes during gaming sessions.
How can gamers stop smoking
Assuming that gamers are not so influenced by their on-screen heroes that they won’t stop smoking, there are many cessation methods available. Most involve some nicotine alternative, a method of replacing the cravings without tobacco and combustion. These are not always likely to be seen in video games, but some might be more conducive to play. For instance, nicotine gum is available, a product that is chewed like normal gum and disperses nicotine orally. There is some evidence from Boise State University that chewing gum can help eSports players concentrate, although the study doesn’t look at nicotine gum. The CDC reports nicotine gum side effects include jaw stiffness and stomach discomfort.
Of course, other methods of cessation have the same risks. Nicotine pouches are popular in the US, with brands such as ZYN and On! becoming more known. They’re a small pouch of synthetic nicotine that sits between the lip and gum, delivering anything from 2mg to 21mg at a time. That’s usually over a period of 30 minutes, but the side effects of ZYN pouches include stomach discomfort and hiccups. Both may upset your gaming routine, but both are effective methods of stubbing out the cigarettes. Pouches also come in different flavors, which can be enjoyable while you play.
Ultimately, both those methods, and others such as lozenges and patches, have certain side effects, but they don’t tend to include lung cancer. Also, using nicotine alternatives tends to free up your hands, so you can stay focused on your gaming session, whether that’s blasting through Black Ops III or riding your horse across the Wild West looking for cigarette cards.
Conclusion
Smoking will always be a part of video games. Some titles, like Red Dead Redemption, use smoking to set a scene of historical accuracy. Others use smoking as a part of character progression, but in no instances is smoking used to try to entice a gamer to light up. Therefore, when picking up the controller, it’s time to put down the cigarette and try an alternative, even if Arther Morgan doesn’t have that option on screen.