Snoop Dogg says he's 'giving up smoke' after releasing a bag with stash pockets, lighter
Snoop Dogg's announcement that he is giving up smoking is a bit of a head-scratcher for some fans.
The rapper and entrepreneur's statement, shared Thursday in a black-and-white social media post, reads: "After much consideration & conversation with my family, I've decided to give up smoke. Please respect my privacy at this time."
"I'm giving up smoke," he added in the caption.
Many commenters – including Queen Latifah, Jhene? Aiko and Maya Rudolph – showed their support for Snoop on in the comments. "You got this, Unc!!" Aiko wrote. Venezuelan singer and rapper Micro TDH chimed in, "Not smoking it’s the new smoking."
But a few users wondered whether Snoop was being serious.
"Define... smoke," actor Lamorne Morris wrote under Snoop's Instagram post, while user @ambie02 asked, "Is it April Fool's Day?"
T-Pain, who recently released the music video for his collaboration with Snoop Dogg, "That's How We Ballin," issued a disclaimer on X, formerly Twitter: "This video was filmed before @SnoopDogg stopped smoking." Snoop is smoking in portions of the 6?-minute video.
"Stay strong Unc #support," T-Pain added.
USA TODAY has reached out to Snoop Dogg's representatives for more information.
In subsequent posts, Snoop referred to – but didn't clarify – his vow to quit smoking. A couple hours after his initial post, he posted a selfie with the caption "Respect my privacy ????????" followed by another selfie post the next day that simply included a gust of air emoji in the caption. In the slightly blurry photo, Snoop is looking off to the side.
"Hold strong, Snoop," Zachary Levi commented.
Turns out, Snoop Dogg isn't giving up cannabis after all
On Monday – four days after this announcement – Snoop finally clarified that he isn't giving up the kind of "smoke" he's been associated with for much of his career.
The realization came with Snoop's reveal that he is partnering with Solo Stove, a smokeless fire pit brand.
"I’m done with smoke. I’m going smokeless with @solostove. #ad," he captioned his Nov. 20 Instagram post.
“I love a good fire outside but the smoke was too much. Solo Stove fixed fire and took out the smoke. They changed the game and now I’m excited to spread the love and stay warm with my friends and family,” Snoop said in a press release.
More on Snoop's new partnership How he will 'give up smoke' with Solo Stove
Snoop Dogg collaborated with Martha Stewart on a bag with a lighter, 'secret stash pockets'
Snoop's Nov. 16 announcement came on the heels of his product launch with Martha Stewart of their "Best Buds Bags." One user, @nicholaszazula, commented on Snoop's post about the release with, "Didn’t he announce he stopped smoking 20 mins ago?"
According to Snoop's statement to hip-hop music magazine The Source, the limited edition crossbody bag has "got it all. From my favorite lighter, favorite color, and dime-sized secret stash pockets to stash my favorite herbs." The two also collaborated on a lighter collection that will debut next year, per The Source.
The "Gin and Juice" rapper has long-made mentions of marijuana in his music and has several businesses in the cannabis industry. He has a branded line of weed, Leafs by Snoop, and he joined the cannabis investment fund Casa Verde. Under that partnership, he launched a collaboration with TSUMo Snacks in 2022 to create Snazzle Os, cannabis-infused onion ring chips.
Last month, Snoop used the lit candles on his birthday cake to reignite his joint on stage at a Los Angeles benefit show co-hosted by Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.
"That's what I'm talking about," Reilly said.
Contributing: Anika Reed and Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Snoop Dogg is quitting smoking, he says, after years of marijuana use
