How These 11 Celebrities Finally Managed to Quit Smoking

The Dangers of Smoking and Why Quitting is So Important

Smoking cigarettes is extremely hazardous to one's health. According to the CDC, smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States. Additionally, more than 16 million Americans suffer from a smoking-related illness. Smoking cigarettes causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and more. Quitting smoking reduces these risks tremendously.

Nicotine, the primary addictive chemical in tobacco, is incredibly difficult to overcome. That's why quitting smoking is one of the biggest challenges a person can face. However, with determination and support, it is possible to quit successfully.

In this article, we'll discuss 11 celebrities who managed to break the stronghold of nicotine addiction and quit smoking. We'll explore their motivations, methods, and advice for quitting this deadly habit.

Celebrity Smokers Who Quit

1. Anthony Bourdain

The late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was a lifelong smoker before quitting in 2007. He had been smoking two packs a day for over 30 years when he decided to quit.

Bourdain cited the birth of his daughter as his motivation. He did not want to expose her to secondhand smoke or model unhealthy habits. He quit cold turkey, relying on his strong will and prescription Chantix to overcome withdrawal symptoms.

In interviews, Bourdain advised other smokers trying to quit to "really commit yourself to it. It's going to suck. You're going to hate it and be miserable, but it's worth it."

2. Ben Affleck

Actor and director Ben Affleck began smoking at age 15 and was up to a pack per day during his 20s. He made many attempts to quit but always relapsed. Finally, in 2015, Affleck announced that he had managed to quit for good.

Affleck credits his successful quit to family support, nicotine gum, and regular exercise. He advises others trying to quit smoking to "Just do it. It's going to be hard. But don't give up on giving up. I failed a bunch of times, but kept trying."

3. Gwyneth Paltrow

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow started smoking as a teenager. At her heaviest smoking period, she smoked a pack of cigarettes per day. In 2004, Paltrow decided to quit smoking after suffering a bad bout of pneumonia.

Paltrow used a combination of hypnotherapy sessions, nicotine patches, and acupuncture to quit. She advises others trying to quit smoking to "Just stop. Go cold turkey. If you mess up, don't use it as an excuse to give up. Keep trying until you quit for good."

4. Kristin Davis

Known for her role as Charlotte on Sex and the City, Kristin Davis was a pack-a-day smoker for over 20 years. She tried to quit many times unsuccessfully. Finally, after conceiving her daughter through adoption, Davis found the motivation to quit for good.

Davis quit smoking cold turkey. She dealt with cravings by consuming carrots, celery, and lots of water. Davis advises others trying to quit to "Commit fully and don't look back. It's difficult but so worth it. I'm so glad I quit."

5. Robert Pattinson

Twilight star Robert Pattinson began smoking cigarettes at age 15. Soon he was smoking nearly two packs a day. In 2012, Pattinson decided to quit smoking after struggling through a smoke-filled acting scene. He could barely breathe and felt it was a wake-up call.

Pattinson quit smoking by relying on his pure determination and willpower. He advises others, "Don't give yourself an excuse. If you mess up, just try again. Keep trying until you are smoke-free."

How These Celebrities Quit Smoking

As we can see from these celebrity examples, quitting smoking is challenging but very possible. It requires motivation, dedication, and support.

There are some common techniques these celebrities used to successfully quit smoking:

• Nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patches, lozenges)
• Prescription medications like Chantix or Zyban
• Hypnosis and acupuncture
• Cold turkey quitting
• Exercising regularly
• Drinking lots of water
• Eating healthy snacks like carrots and celery
• Support from family and friends

Many of the celebrities cited their family, especially their children, as strong motivation to quit. They wanted to improve their health and live longer lives for their kids.

Nearly all advised that quitting smoking is extremely difficult. It often takes many tries before it finally sticks. The key is to keep trying and never give up on giving up cigarettes.

How to Quit Smoking

If you are trying to quit smoking, it can be very helpful to model the techniques these celebrities used to successfully break their nicotine addictions.

Here are some tips for quitting smoking successfully:

Get Support

Don't try to quit alone. Tell your family and friends that you are quitting smoking. Their encouragement and accountability will help motivate you to stick with it.

You may also want to join a support group or get counseling to help you through the difficulties of quitting.

Know Your Triggers

What causes you to reach for a cigarette? Make a list of your triggers, such as drinking coffee, going out for drinks, or feeling stressed.

Once you know your triggers, you can either avoid them or be mentally prepared when they happen during your quit attempt.

Get Medication Help

Medications like nicotine gum, patches, sprays, and Chantix can double your chances of quitting smoking successfully. Talk to your doctor to get a prescription for stop-smoking medications.

Remove Temptations

Get rid of all cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays in your home and car. Avoid smoking-friendly places like bars. Removing these temptations can help you resist cravings.

Try Quit Aids

Nicotine lozenges, sugarless gum, carrot sticks, and other oral substitutes can help satisfy the hand-to-mouth ritual of smoking. Try sunflower seeds or minty toothpicks to keep your mouth busy.

Exercise More

Physical activity naturally reduces stress and anxiety. When a craving hits, go for a walk or head to the gym to get through it.

Start a Money Jar

Put all the money you would have spent on cigarettes into a jar. Watching it fill up can motivate you to stick with quitting.

Remind Yourself of the Benefits

Make a list of all the reasons you want to quit - improve health, live longer, set a good example, have more energy and money. Review it when you need motivation.

The Rewards of Quitting Smoking

While quitting smoking is very difficult, the rewards make it well worth the effort. Some of the many benefits of quitting include:

• Improved lung capacity and function
• Lower risk of lung cancer and other cancers
• Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke
• Healthier teeth and gums
• Better smelling breath, hair, and clothes
• Extra money from not buying cigarettes
• Longer life expectancy
• Setting a healthy example for kids
• Feeling a sense of accomplishment and improved self-esteem

These celebrities show it is possible to quit smoking even after many years of heavy nicotine addiction. With dedication and help, you too can break free from cigarettes and experience the many rewards of being smoke-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is smoking so addictive?

Smoking is highly addictive because tobacco contains nicotine. Nicotine causes changes to the brain that make people dependent on it. Smokers become addicted to the nicotine and find it very difficult to stop smoking.

What are the health risks of smoking?

Smoking cigarettes causes many diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). More than 480,000 people die in the U.S. each year from smoking-related illnesses.

How can you quit smoking?

Quitting smoking is challenging but there are strategies that can help. Using nicotine replacement therapy, prescription meds, counseling, support groups, quitlines, removing smoking temptations, and sheer willpower can all help smokers quit successfully.

What happens when you stop smoking?

When you stop smoking, your body immediately begins to heal and regain health. In just 1 day, your blood pressure and risk of heart attack drop. In a few months, lung function improves. After 1-9 months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease. The longer you stay smoke-free, the more health benefits you gain.

How can I avoid smoking relapse?

To avoid relapsing, use stop-smoking medication long-term, avoid triggers like drinking alcohol, stay busy with exercise or hobbies, drink lots of water, remove smoking temptations from your home and car, attend support groups, and remind yourself constantly of the benefits of quitting.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.