World No Tobacco Day: ‘World No Tobacco Day’ is celebrated every year on 31st May to stop tobacco. Smoking or using tobacco is extremely harmful. Tobacco invites deadly diseases like cancer. People consume tobacco in large quantities because of the mild stimulant present in nicotine. But it can have serious consequences.
Along with common people, many famous celebrities also smoke cigarettes. One of these names is model and actor Purab Kohli. Just before World Tobacco Day, Purab told that he started consuming it at the age of just 15.
It was difficult to give up cigarettes!
Purab used to consume tobacco for years. Although he tried his best to quit it, smoking did not leave him. Purab has told Hindustan Times in detail about his experience with tobacco and his bad habit.
Started smoking cigarettes at the age of 15-16
Purab Kohli said, ‘I was around 15-16 years old. We always know that smoking is bad and we had already heard some horrible stories so we knew we were doing something that was not good. At that time smoking seemed like a manly thing but I started it just to feel good.’
I had written down the date to quit smoking
Kohli further said, ‘I had been smoking for 10 years, I thought I wanted to quit it. I could see that when I was stressed about work, I used to do it even more. I had reached a point where I wanted to try and see if I could really do it.’
He said- ‘I told myself, I have smoked for 10-12 years, can I not smoke for a year? I even wrote down the date. I kept myself motivated by that too and I comment a lot, when I take a decision, I stick to it.’
He used to hold a cigarette in his hand but did not light it
Purab adds, ‘I just woke up one morning and said I have to stop. I stopped smoking, but it was very difficult. I bought a cigarette and I would hold it in my hand and never light it. I would hold it in my hand and puff on it without lighting it and slowly the craving for it went away. Even the shops from where I used to buy it, whenever I went to them I would feel like smoking. I started realising how badly I was addicted to tobacco.’
The actor said, ‘I am a very strong-willed person. If I take a decision, I stick to it.’ He further said, ‘He had to pick up cigarettes again to work in a project. According to Purab, ‘I did not smoke for 3-4 years after that, but there was a role for which I had to smoke cigarettes and then I started smoking again for a short time in my early 30s. I already knew that I had stopped once and how much difference it makes while working out.’
I quit smoking for the second time forever
Kohli adds, ‘The second time I quit it for good. Once you get past the initial 6-7 months, it gets better. You feel sleepy, and you also start gaining weight when you try to quit. I remember eating crunchy carrot and cucumber to keep me from binge eating. It helped me form good habits. My skin looks better now and my mind is so relaxed. Deep and relaxing breaths, wow! I feel so happy that I don’t get those cravings anymore, it’s been more than 13-14 years since I last smoked.’