- By Ridam Sharma
- Sat, 31 May 2025 01:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
World No Tobacco Day falls on May 31 every year. It is celebrated as a global movement to create awareness about the ill effects of tobacco consumption and to move towards quitting tobacco. This year, the 2025 Anti-Tobacco Day’s theme is Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products, according to the World Health Organization. Celebrities across the globe enjoy huge fan followings and have an enormous influence, and when these celebrities quit smoking, it plays a crucial role in motivating millions of their fans and supporters to stop smoking and live a healthier life.
List Of Celebrities Who Have Openly Spoken About Their Experiences Of Quitting Cigarettes:
Amitabh Bachchan
The Legendary Amitabh Bachchan used to be a chain smoker during his younger days, as he himself stated in one of his interviews with India Today. He quit overnight famously and has stayed smoke-free since then, leaving his fans with a great example to follow.
Shah Rukh Khan
The King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, was known as a chain smoker for years, and many times was caught smoking on camera. Later, on his 59th birthday at an event organised by his fan clubs, in a video from that event shared by his fan club on X, he was heard saying: "There's a good thing - I'm not smoking anymore, guys. I thought I wouldn't feel so breathless after quitting smoking, but I still feel it (the side effects). Inshallah, that will also get ok." His decision has motivated millions of fans.
Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan stated about his smoking habit in an event, “I wanted to give up smoking. I tried quitting five times before and failed. I tried nicotine patches and other methods, but nothing worked. I wanted to kick the habit, so I began researching how to. I spoke to people who had quit, went online and read articles, and saw testimonials of people on YouTube. I kept checking, and then finally I came across this book, Alan Carr’s Easy Way To Stop Smoking. I ordered that book, and the day I finished the book was the day I smoked my last ciggie,” as reported by IANS. The heartrob of the nation had a tough time quitting smoking, but finally stopped after multiple attempts. His transformation as a fitness icon has truly inspired his massive fan base.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston was a long-time chain smoker before quitting in 2007, as she revealed in a 2012 interview with GQ. She now focuses on mindful living with yoga, exercise, and healthy eating.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr is a celebrated Hollywood star and is known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The star struggled with smoking and finally quit for a healthier lifestyle, as reported by IOL.
Barack Obama
The former US President Barack Obama has also battled with smoking. He employed the use of nicotine gum and publicly vowed to quit while president. However, he jokingly once stated that the fact that he is scared of his wife helped him stay away from cigarettes, according to an NBC News report.
On World No Tobacco Day 2025, while the world knows more about the harmful effects of the tobacco industry, these celebrities are living proof that a healthier, smoke-free existence is possible for all. If your favourite celebrity can quit smoking, you can too.