11 Celebrities Share How They Finally Quit Smoking for Good

Introduction

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions a person can make for their long-term health. However, breaking the addiction to nicotine can be extremely difficult, especially for those who have smoked for many years. For celebrities in the public eye, quitting smoking can also help project a healthy image. Fortunately, many famous actors, musicians, and other stars have managed to stub out their cigarettes for good. Their stories can inspire other smokers to take control of their health.

Celebrity Smoking Habits

Like millions of other people, many celebrities started smoking when they were young and never expected to become addicted. Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones began casually smoking as a teenager but soon found herself hooked, often lighting up first thing in the morning. Singer Keith Urban started experimenting with cigarettes at age 12 and was a daily smoker by 15. Some stars also took up the habit to project a "cool" image in the entertainment industry, only to later realize smoking's health hazards.

When Celebrities Began to Quit

For most celebrity smokers, the decision to quit was prompted by a growing awareness of the dangers of tobacco. Actor Ben Affleck first resolved to quit when his grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer. Rock musician Ozzy Osbourne made several attempts to give up cigarettes after a serious ATV accident left him with lasting health problems. Others quit for cosmetic reasons, including protecting their vocal cords and avoiding wrinkles. However, motherhood emerged as one of the most common inspirations for celebrities to stub out their cigarettes for good.

How Celebrities Quit Smoking

Giving up cigarettes was still very difficult for stars despite their motivations to quit. Many celebrities only managed to quit after multiple unsuccessful attempts. Here are some of the techniques that helped them break the smoking addiction once and for all:

• Nicotine replacement therapy - Nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges helped stars like Adele and Robert Pattinson wean themselves off cigarettes.
• Prescription medications - Varenicline helped Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sophie Turner stop smoking by reducing nicotine cravings.
• Cold turkey - Stars like Gwen Stefani and Ellen DeGeneres quit abruptly instead of gradually.
• Hypnotherapy - Celebrities including Matt Damon and Ashton Kutcher used hypnosis sessions to reprogram their minds and eliminate smoking triggers.
• Acupuncture - Keith Urban attributes acupuncture treatments to finally overcoming his smoking addiction.
• Changing routines - Avoiding areas where they used to smoke and finding new hobbies helped stars break ingrained smoking habits.
• Support systems - Accountability partners, counseling, and speaking openly about quitting kept celebrities motivated.

11 Celebrities Who Quit Smoking

Millions of fans watched and supported these stars as they overcame tobacco addictions. Here are 11 celebrity success stories that can inspire smokers everywhere:

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Academy Award-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones started smoking as a teenager but was determined to quit before turning 40. After multiple failed attempts, Chantix helped her finally kick the habit for good in 2011. She has been outspoken about the difficulties of quitting but is glad to be free of tobacco.

Ben Affleck

Hollywood leading man Ben Affleck first resolved to quit smoking when his grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer in the late 1990s. He successfully quit with the help of nicotine gum but relapsed during a stressful period in his career. In 2015, Affleck was able to quit again using vaping as a transitional technique.

Keith Urban

Country music superstar Keith Urban was a pack-a-day smoker for over 20 years. After multiple failed quit attempts, he finally stopped smoking for good in 2007 before marrying Nicole Kidman. Acupuncture helped control his cravings. Urban has avoided relapsing by maintaining a diligent exercise routine.

Gwen Stefani

During her time as lead singer of No Doubt, Stefani was rarely seen without a cigarette. She quit smoking in 2001 after deciding she was ready to start a family. Stefani quit abruptly instead of gradually by going cold turkey. Staying busy with her music career and avoiding smokers has kept her smoke-free.

Robert Pattinson

To cope with the pressures of fame following Twilight, Robert Pattinson took up smoking as a crutch. At one point, he was smoking nearly two packs per day. In 2012, Pattinson was able to quit completely through using nicotine gum, improved diet, and exercising more frequently.

Ellen DeGeneres

Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres picked up her first cigarette as a teenager. At her heaviest point, she was smoking over a pack a day. DeGeneres decided to quit abruptly in the late 1980s and powered through the withdrawal symptoms. She has now been smoke-free for over three decades.

Ashton Kutcher

Actor and tech investor Ashton Kutcher started smoking casually as a teenager. When filming Jobs, he took up the habit again to emulate Steve Jobs mannerisms. After production ended, Kutcher immediately quit smoking for good through hypnotherapy treatments.

Ozzy Osbourne

Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne was a lifelong chain smoker, puffing away even after being diagnosed with a genetic condition that increases lung cancer risks. After nearly dying from pneumonia in 2019, Osbourne finally quit smoking at age 71 on doctors orders.

Sophie Turner

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner began smoking as a teenager but wanted to quit after getting engaged to Joe Jonas. Prescription drug Champix helped curb her nicotine addiction, and Jonas support helped her stop smoking permanently within months.

Adele

British soul singer Adele was an avid smoker from age 18, eventually consuming nearly two packs per day. She quit in 2011 after her vocal hemorrhage made the risks to her singing voice evident. Nicotine lozenges aided her efforts to become completely smoke-free.

Matt Damon

Academy Award-winner Matt Damon started smoking heavily to play a chain-smoking assassin in The Bourne Identity. To recover from the role, he underwent hypnotherapy in 2005 to curb his newfound two pack-a-day habit. Damon has since remained smoke-free.

How You Can Quit Smoking Like the Stars

If celebrities can manage to quit after years of tobacco use, you can too. Here are some top tips inspired by Hollywood success stories:

Find Your Motivation

Think about the major reasons you want to become smoke-free. Protecting your health, being able to keep up with your kids, living longer - find your purpose for quitting. Let it inspire you whenever cravings strike.

Talk to Your Doctor

Your physician can suggest medications, nicotine replacements, counseling, or other smoking cessation techniques tailored to you. Dont be afraid to ask for help.

Try Nicotine Replacement Therapies

Nicotine patches, gum, nasal spray, and other OTC products help ease withdrawal symptoms as you wean yourself off cigarettes.

Consider Prescription Medications

Drugs like Chantix and Zyban reduce nicotine cravings and may double your chances of quitting successfully.

Get Support

Join a support group, enlist a quitting buddy, or talk to a counselor. Accountability and camaraderie help you stay committed.

Change Your Routine

Avoid triggers like alcohol or coffee, take up a new hobby, adjust your driving routes - a new routine makes it easier to break old habits.

Dont Quit Quitting

Most smokers require multiple attempts before they quit for good. If you slip up, get back on the nonsmoking horse. Each attempt

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.