On World No-Tobacco Day, actor Purab Kohli shares his experience of quitting smoking successfully.
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On World No-Tobacco Day, actor Purab Kohli tells us that he
started smoking when he was very young. “I was around 15-16 years old. We
always know that smoking is bad and we had already heard some terrible stories
so we knew we were doing something that was not good. Smoking looked attractive
at that time, as this macho thing. But, I started it just to feel cool,” he
shares. It was in his late 20s when the actor decided to quit the harmful
habit. “It had already been 10 years since I was smoking, I thought that I
wanted to quit. I could see that when I was stressed with work, I would do it
even more. I reached a point where I wanted to try and give it up to see if I
could really do it. I said to myself, I have smoked for 10-12 years, can I not
smoke for one year? I even marked the date. I kept myself motivated through
that as well. And I am quite commented, when I make a decision, I stick to it,”
reveals Kohli.“I just woke up one morning and said that I had to stop. I did
stop smoking, but it was very hard. I bought one cigarette and I used to keep
that in my hand and never light it. I used to hold it in my hand and puff away
on it without lighting it and slowly the feeling of wanting it went away. Even
the shops that I used to buy it from, whenever I crossed them, I used to feel
like smoking. I started realising how strong of an addiction I had to tobacco,”
he further adds. Recalling the harmful effects of quitting smoking on his body,
the 45-year-old elaborates, “There was a physical impact also happening like my
tummy was being all funny and I used to eat and get indigestion. It was
physically hard for my body, not a cakewalk at that time.”
“I am quite strong-headed. If I make a decision, I stick to
it. I wanted to see that I have smoked for 10-12 years, can I not smoke for one
year? I even marked the date and wanted to see it. I gave myself one year and
that’s how I kept myself committed. I lit one up next year and I hated it. When
you don’t smoke for a long while, you realise how disgusting it tastes. It felt
horrible,” Kohli admits, as he delves more into the journey of giving up on
cigarettes completely, adding that he had to pick up a cigarette again for a
project. “I didn’t smoke for 3-4 years after that but there was a role for
which I had to smoke and then I started smoking for a short period again in my
early thirties. I already knew I had stopped once and how much difference it
makes while working out.”The actor expresses that he realised the goodness of
not smoking. “The second time I quit was forever. Once you get over the initial
6-7 months, it gets better. You feel drowsy and sleepy and even tend to gain
weight when you are trying to quit. I remember eating carrots and cucumbers for
crunchy munching so that I don’t crave a lot. It helped me create good habits.
My skin looks better now and my mind is so rested. The deep and fulfilling
breaths, wow! I feel so happy that I don’t feel that craving anymore, it has
been more than 13-14 years since I last smoked,” Kohli ends.
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