Celebrity Smokers: A Must Read

Star Smokers

What do stars like Robert Downey Jr, Rihanna and Lady Gaga all have in common? They're all star smokers. This often causes a headache for their management team as they are always trying to portray their clients in a positive light.

A Hollywood publicist has two big responsibilities: Get publicity for their clients and keep their clients from getting publicity. Although that might sound like those two functions would work against each other the truth is that a publicist only wants good news to be reported about their celebrity clients. When those same clients get into trouble, the PR person has to scramble to minimize the damage and protect the star's reputation.

In some cases, this is a lost cause (Lindsay Lohan anyone?). For the most part a publicist helps a client promote a new movie or album and sometimes even a fragrance by booking them on talk shows and having them show up at red carpet events. They want to control ever image of the star but in this day of cell phone cameras everywhere that is getting harder and harder to do. Case in point: Catching stars smoking.

Is Smoking Cool?

Because celebrities are often thought of as role models everything they do comes under scrutiny. If they're wearing a sneaker that shoe is going to be a top seller. Same for a dress, pair of jeans or a hat. The companies that provide those wardrobe pieces for the stars want them shown in a favorable light. Back in the 40s and 50s, smoking was considered "cool." Not only did most of the films out of Hollywood feature leading men and ladies smoking but it was big business for television advertisers. In fact, there is even a vintage TV spot with Fred Flintstone selling cigarettes.

In the late 60s, all of that changed as cigarettes were found to be hazardous to your health. Television commercials were banned but that didn't stop folks from lighting up. This brings us back to stars and their nicotine addiction. It's no longer thought of as "cool" to be seen smoking. In fact, many celebrities will go out of their way to hide their habit but you'll still get those photos from paparazzi and fans alike. As it turns out, catching a star smoking in a photo is almost as good as catching them in a fight at a nightclub.

Which Stars Are Lighting Up?

Oscar nominees are well represented when it comes to celebrity smokers. You might notice such past and current nominees as Benicio Del Torro, Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, Billy Bob Thornton, Whoopi Goldberg or William H. Macy might all be caught sneaking off to grab a smoke at this year's Academy Award Ceremonies.

Surprisingly enough there are many singers who have been caught with a cigarette. Such top-selling stars as Bono, Adele, Lady Gaga and David Bowie are all smokers. You would think they would care more about protecting their voices! As for the world of rap and R&B, it's hard to find a star who doesn't smoke! Rihanna and her on again/off again squeeze Chris Brown are often seen smoking up a cloud. The same can be said for Snoop Dogg, Kayne West, Jay Z and Usher

On the fashion runway you'll find beauties like Kate Moss, Dita Von Teese and Sienna Miller but you might also catch them backstage puffing away. Then there are the old school stars like Jack Nicholson and Arnold Schwarzenegger who will light up big stogies and not care one bit what it looks like!

Kicking the Habit

If asked, most of those celebrities would probably love to kick the smoking habit. Chances are they've all quit at some time or another just like the average smoker. Because of the addictive qualities of nicotine it's extremely difficult to go cold turkey. Even though the residual effects of nicotine can wear off in 72 hours, those cravings still persist and can be triggered by anything from smelling cigarette smoke to watching an episode of "Mad Men." Fortunately, there have been many advances made in prescribed medicines which act as inhibitors to the effects of nicotine. One such medication is Chantix which many users have reported success in kicking the smoking habit. Chantix is a powerful inhibitor that can only be prescribed by a doctor and like many other forms of medication it needs to be taken every day to have an impact. Smoking is one habit you don't need to follow your favorite star in doing. Stick with the sneakers and put out the cigarette!"

Guest Writer: Eve Pearce