Tom Mullica was one of the most original and outrageous magicians of the 20th century. Known for his zany comedic style and fearless stage presence, he amazed (and shocked) audiences with his infamous Smoking Magic act — where he would light multiple cigarettes, puff on them, and then seemingly EAT them one by one. The sight of him chewing and swallowing lit cigarettes left people gasping. Many were left wondering: was he really eating them? Was it dangerous? Or was it all just a clever illusion?
The act usually began with Mullica lighting a cigarette and taking a few drags, chatting with the audience in a light-hearted way. He would then light more cigarettes, sometimes holding several in his mouth at once. With impeccable comedic timing, he’d “stuff” them into his mouth, chew them dramatically, and make them vanish — as if he had swallowed the burning tobacco and filters whole. Sometimes he would even “wash them down” with a drink, intensifying the illusion.
So what was the secret?
First, it’s important to note that while Mullica’s routine looked extremely dangerous, he wasn’t actually swallowing burning cigarettes. He was, however, handling real smoke and lit ends — which still required tremendous skill and tolerance for heat. Mullica used a combination of sleight-of-mouth, sleight-of-hand, and carefully timed extinguishing techniques.
The key move was how he secretly put out the cigarettes in his mouth without the audience noticing. Mullica had developed an almost superhuman ability to extinguish the lit ends quickly against the inside of his lips or tongue, without burning himself. Years of practice (and probably some calloused tissue from constant rehearsal) allowed him to do this safely — though it was still not risk-free.
Once the cigarette was extinguished, he would palm it inside his mouth, tuck it into a hidden cheek pouch, or use his tongue to slide it behind his teeth while pretending to chew and swallow. Sometimes he would push the cigarette into his hand during an exaggerated chewing motion, ditching it into a hidden receptacle or pocket. Because he was such a skilled comedian, the audience’s attention was always on his facial expressions, jokes, and antics — never on the subtle disposal moves.
Mullica also used timing to perfection. He would talk with his mouth full, tilt his head back, and act as though he was gulping the cigarettes down. This made the illusion even more convincing. The fact that real smoke billowed out of his mouth during the act made people believe there was no trick — when in fact, the smoke often came from unlit cigarettes concealed earlier or from controlled exhalations.
Did he actually eat cigarettes?
Not in the sense of swallowing them whole and digesting them — that would be both toxic and extremely dangerous. But Mullica did put real, lit cigarettes in his mouth and snuff them out as part of the performance. The skill required to do this without injury is immense, and it’s not something anyone should try at home.
Tom Mullica’s Smoking Magic remains one of the most daring and unique acts in magic history. It’s a perfect example of how great magicians combine technical skill, pain tolerance, and theatrical showmanship to create illusions that are as shocking as they are unforgettable. Even knowing the method, watching Mullica’s routine still makes audiences’ jaws drop.
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