As a former smoker, I’m asking gamedevs to please make an ‘arachnophobia mode’ but for cigarettes because I am barely hanging on here
A former smoker is calling on game developers to implement accessibility features that remove or replace cigarette imagery in video games, drawing a comparison to existing ‘arachnophobia modes’ that eliminate spider content. The request proposes substituting cigarettes with alternative items such as lollipops, kazoos, or pretzel sticks as a way to reduce exposure to smoking triggers.
The author quit nicotine nearly three years ago after smoking a pack daily from 1991 to 2016, followed by years of vaping. While maintaining their quit status, they describe ongoing difficulty managing cravings and a persistent desire to smoke that has not diminished significantly over the past three years. The piece highlights how cigarette depictions in games may present a challenge for former smokers attempting to stay smoke-free.