In The Lion King, there are instances where some characters, particularly Scar, are depicted with smoke in their breath. These scenes, though more symbolic and less explicit, still highlight the presence of smoking.

Smoking in MoA

MoA (Mid-20th Century Animated Films) also included various smoking characters, often due to the influence of their real-life counterparts or the cultural norms of the time. Some notable examples include:

Louie, Mr. Sykes, and Tito (Oliver Co., 1968; Atlantis: The Lost Empire, 2001)

These characters are depicted smoking in various forms, from pipes to cigarettes, reflecting the trend of smoking being a common occurrence among adult characters in animated films of that era.

Pecos Bill (1940s short)

While not from a full-length feature, Pecos Bill is a character from an old short film where smoking was a common occurrence. This provides a glimpse into how these habits were portrayed in early Disney work.

Captain Hook (Peter Pan, 1953)

Captain Hook from Peter Pan is often portrayed smoking two cigars at the same time, a vivid and striking image that has become iconic in the film.

Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians, 1961)

Cruella De Vil is another character known for her smoking habit, which adds to her menacing and villainous aura.

Smoking in Modern Disney Animated Films

As societal norms and health concerns have evolved, Disney has made significant changes in how characters are portrayed. These changes reflect a broader shift towards more positive and healthy representations in media:

Honest John (Pinocchio, 1940 and Hercules, 1997)

In Pinocchio, Honest John is depicted smoking, which has since been omitted or removed from more recent versions. In Hercules, Hades, the malevolent counterpart to Zeus, is shown smoking, which is more symbolic and less explicit.

The Genie (Aladdin, 1992)

The Genie, who is a spirit trapped in a bottle, occasionally smokes a cigarette, which adds to his mischievous and adventurous nature.

Goofy (Goofy Gumbles, 1947)

Goofy has a famous short where he is seen smoking, though the film itself promotes an anti-smoking message. This contrasts with the character's more wholesome and active personality in other films.

Hugo in Hunchback of Notre Dame

In Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hugo lights a sausage on fire and then smokes it, a humorous and memorable scene that highlights the character's quirks and eccentricities.

Anti-Smoking Message

It's worth noting that while earlier films often depicted smoking, some newer animated films use the characters smoking as a way to convey anti-smoking messages. For example, in Goofy Gumbles, although Goofy is shown smoking, the overall message is anti-smoking.

Conclusion

The portrayal of smoking in Disney animated films has shifted from a common and often normalized habit to a more rare and symbolic one. This change reflects broader societal attitudes towards smoking and health, as well as Disney's commitment to promoting positive and healthy messages for their audience.

As society continues to evolve, it is likely that the depiction of smoking in animated films will continue to change, reflecting new norms and values.