Quitting smoking was hard, admits Arjun Rampal

This World No Tobacco Day marks nearly a year of giving up smoking for actor Arjun Rampal. The actor, who was a chain smoker, quit during the pandemic, last year. It was quite hard and every day was a battle, he admits.

“When I wanted to quit, it was the most difficult thing to do — I’d get cranky and irritated. It’s not something that one can overcome easily,” he shares. The Rock On actor started smoking when he was in boarding school. Reflecting on the times, he adds, “I used to be an athlete. I got hurt doing some hurdles while training for races, and couldn’t compete. I was upset and saw my friends smoking, and tried it for fun. I smoked one and got this head rush for the first time; it felt really good.” Being around his baby boy, Arik, motivated the actor to quit cigarettes. “I was sitting with Arik during the pandemic, and I thought I was playing with my health. How can I be so irresponsible to go and pick up a baby, while smelling of tobacco?” says Rampal.

He feels the urge hits when you see someone smoking. “That one drag is exactly like the feeling when you started smoking in the first place. So, don’t get into habits that are going to be fatal,” Rampal signs off with a piece of advice for those trying to quit smoking.

P I became a chain smoker which was disgusting. ARJUN RAMPAL, Actor