Beyond actual smoking, it's used to convey a pensive mood, like a movie detective, or to create a "cool" vibe. However, it should be used with caution due to the negative stigma around smoking.

This emoji often symbolizes the rebellious, solitary figures of the "noir" genre. While viewed negatively in real life due to health issues, in fiction or jokes it's used to exaggerate being extremely stressed or as a code for hipster culture.