Alright folks… gather ‘round, because this one sounds like something straight outta a backyard bonfire story.

The internet’s been buzzing over videos of squirrels holding onto discarded vape pens like they just stepped outta a gas station parking lot. Some folks are cracking jokes saying, “Well dang, even the squirrels switched from Marlboros to mango ice.”

Now before we go accusing every bushy-tailed critter of running a vape shop behind the shed, let’s pump the brakes a bit.

What’s really happening?
These squirrels ain’t trying to blow clouds—they’re just following their noses.

Them fancy disposable vapes come loaded with fruity smells like strawberry, blueberry, and whatever “unicorn blast” is supposed to be. To a squirrel, that don’t smell like nicotine… that smells like lunch.

So what do they do?
They grab it.
They chew it.
They mess with it.

And to us humans? It looks like they’re out here taking a drag before heading to work.

Now here’s where it stops being funny and starts being a little messed up.

Those vapes ain’t just harmless toys. They’ve got batteries, chemicals, and nicotine inside—stuff that can seriously hurt animals if they chew into it. So while we’re all laughing at “vaping squirrels,” the reality is we’ve got wildlife digging through our trash and paying the price.

Let’s be honest…
The only thing more ridiculous than a squirrel with a vape is a human tossing it on the ground in the first place.

So yeah, have your laugh. It’s funny.
But maybe—just maybe—pick up after yourself so the squirrels can go back to doing what they do best… stealing birdseed and judging us from trees.