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Celebrities Who Quit Smoking

Learn how these celebrities managed to quit smoking.

Published July 20, 2011
Written by the Healthline Editorial Team
Celebrites who quit smoking.

Celebrities Who Quit Smoking

Smoking is one of the world’s greatest killers: it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Terribly addictive, smoking is a difficult habit to break. Many people, including celebrities, struggle to end this life-threatening dependency. Click "next" to learn about a few celebrities that have managed to leave their nicotine addiction behind in favor of a healthier lifestyle.

Gwyneth Paltrow
Photo courtesy of Jared Purdy (CC BY 3.0).

Gwyneth Paltrow

Now a health enthusiast, Gwyneth Paltrow was an avid smoker in her teenage years. She smoked two packs a day; even her father’s death in 2002 from cancer didn’t dissuade her from smoking. Paltrow finally quit when she found out she was pregnant with her first daughter.

Barack Obama
Photo courtesy of the The Obama-Biden Transition Project (CC BY 3.0)

Barack Obama

Our current president began smoking as a teenager and has discussed his addiction as a lifetime battle. Obama vowed to quit smoking in 2007 and chewed Nicorette to avoid succumbing to the stresses of his presidency. He admits that he constantly struggles with quitting, and occasionally slips up, but will not smoke in front of his family. In 2009, he passed an anti-smoking bill in an attempt to protect future generations.

Jon Stewart
Photo courtesy of Martin Monroe (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Jon Stewart

Stewart admitted to his cigarette addiction, claiming that he used smoking to fill an emotional void. He said that smoking made him feel better and gave him a distraction from the pressures of life. He was encouraged to quit by the CLG Foundation and realized that while smoking made him feel better in the moment, it was detrimental to his health in the long run.

Gisele Bundchen
Photo courtesy of Gabriel Marchi (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Gisele Bundchen

Like many models, Gisele used smoking as a tactic to maintain her slim figure. But she has since become a great role model for young women. She quit her habit in 2003 to create a healthier life for herself and her family. She claims she gained 15 pounds when she quit, but was much happier with her new, healthier body.

Catherine Zeta Jones
Photo courtesy of John Harrison (CC BY 3.0).

Catherine Zeta Jones

Catherine Zeta Jones was photographed in 2003 smoking during the last stages of her pregnancy. Smoking cigarettes while pregnant is extremely dangerous, and can cause brain damage, spontaneous abortion, mental retardation, and many other problems for a developing fetus. She vowed to quit for her children in 2005, but has had a difficult time stopping, suffering many relapses.

Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas

Actor and husband of Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas has long struggled with an addiction to smoking. In 2011, Douglas was found to have a cancerous tumor in his throat, which was most likely caused by his frequent alcohol consumption and smoking. Smoking is strongly discouraged during radiation treatment, so Douglas made the effort to quit smoking.

Jennifer Aniston
Photo courtesy of christopherharte (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Jennifer Aniston

The film and television star was a chain smoker for years before undergoing an extreme cleanse in 2007. Jennifer attributes her success in quitting to her involvement in yoga. She exercises regularly and eats healthfully to rid her body of caffeine and nicotine.

Anthony Bourdain
Photo courtesy of Daniel Case (CC BY-SA 2.0).

Anthony Bourdain

The world-renowned, uncensored chef, traveler, and food writer smoked for 38 years before quitting. He has an 8-month-old daughter and can’t smoke around her in his apartment. Every time he wanted a cigarette, Tony was forced to walk down 11 flights of stairs from his apartment. Eventually, he realized it was harder to smoke than to quit, and finally kicked the habit in 2007.

Get more information: tips to quit.

Tips to Quit Smoking

Smoking is a tough habit to kick, but as these celebrities prove, it’s not impossible. Learn why quitting is important, and how to build a support system to keep yourself on track. If you have made the decision to quit, learn some tips for quitting successfully. Quitting is essential not only for your own health, but for the well-being of those around you.

 

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