Mel Gibson's 'Hellish' War With Cigarettes

By Bryan Alexander Posted Jan 17th 2010 10:10AM

Mel Gibson has gone through a lot of drama in his long Hollywood career. But nothing seemingly comes close to finally quitting his 45-year smoking habit. Moving onto Day 9 without cigarettes, an edgy Gibson spoke to reporters at a press conference promoting his long-awaited return to the screen in 'Edge of Darkness.' The clear message was resuming acting: not so tough. Quitting the cancer sticks: "hellish." More on Mel's "torture" after the jump!

"It was torture," says Gibson. "The first three days I was like an axe murderer. Day 4: I'd come at you with a bat. Day 5: I was dangerous with a lawn mower. It is a hellish habit to break." Gibson half-joked that he's convinced his mother smoked when she had him in the womb, explaining how he quickly got hooked after starting at a young age. "When I first had one when I was nine-years-old I thought, 'I missed this, Oh my God.' I knew I missed it."

Stopping has had a massive impact on his work. "Every single artistic decision I ever made was done with a cigarette," says Gibson. "To not have that, that's pretty hectic. That's crawling the walls, I did anyway."

But the improvement it will have on his health will surely benefit Gibson, who clearly has no plans of slowing down. In 'Edge of Darkness,' the action veteran not only continues to throw punches but also absorbs his share of blows. The 54-year-old Gibson can use all the help he can get to keep up with the high-octane shoots. One fight scene in particular required special preparation.

"I ordered a chiropractor for the day after," says Gibson. "I knew I was going to wake up like road kill. You don't bounce back as quick as you used to. It's not a pleasant experience. Things don't pop back the way they used to."

The whole thought of body pain and a world without smoking made GIbson forget that he has a hot, young Russian girlfriend.

"There's no more fun thing left," says Gibson "I just don't do anything fun anymore."

Putting the nail in the depression coffin he sighed: "But that's dying isn't it? You die in stages. Things go in pieces. I'm more than halfway through."

Tags: cigarettes, Edge of Darkness, EdgeOfDarkness, mel gibson, MelGibson, smoking

Comments

(78)

Sunday 17 January

By Raejean

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I've got new for Mel: He was "more than halfway through" to dying a number of years ago, unless he seriously thinks he'll live to 100. But he'll have a better chance of it with the quitting of the cigs, which I know from experience is the hardest thing ever to do, so I wish him good luck.

By James

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THERES TWO WARS GOING ON, HAITI HAS 100,000 DEAD PEOPLE, THE ECONOMY IS IN THE TANK, GAS PRICES ARE GOING UP AGAIN.......AND THE NEWS HERE TODAY IS " MEL GIBSON IS GOING THRU HELL QUITTING SMOKING" !!!!!

By David

Absolutely, we should drop everything and devote every inch of space on the web to the horror in Haiti. Everyone should stop all forms of work and devote their thoughts and energy towards Haiti. While we're at it we should punish anyone who's thought deviate from the issues in Haiti.

By jill

Uh........this is pop, not CNN!

By Lita

First we have James, who is so dumb that he thinks the only stories that should be covered anywhere, everywhere, must be related to Haiti and/or the economy. This is seconded by RM (Real Moron), who drags Obama into this. What a pair... of jackasses.

By Jan

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James; You forgot to mention the Health Care "CRISIS" being shoved down our throats. along with two wars, tanked economy, etc.

Tuesday 19 January

By Naomi

Then why are you reading it?

By william j quinn

After 12 years of cigarettes, I quit. I have never used cocaine but I am convinced it would be an easier addiction to quit than cigarettes were for me. Ten years later I still wanted to smoke!
Now, 48 years later I cannot imagine anyone wanting to smoke.

By Steven

I quit after 40 years. I used the electronic cigarette for 90 days and then was able to lay it down and never use it again. Although they do not market the electronic cigarette as a quit smoking device, it works great!

By TEVA

I am about the same age as Mel Its no fun giving up all your vices.
I would rather kick hard drugs that cigs again.
They are very hard to get away from you see people smoking you can buy them anytime you want day or night. But after about two or three years you will forget about the cigs but it dose take that much time.

By georgechevy1

He's not exaggerating one damn bit. I have been smoking since I was sixteen, now it is thirty years later already. Have quit before for almost a year once then the last time was about five or six weeks. It is miserable! Even when you get over the withdrawals all it takes is one really bad day, stress. I emphasize with anyone who goes through that hell and my hat is off to those that succeed!

By kbaredge126cd

I smoked for 30 years and tried the patch. Actually it was pretty painless. They work.

By valeskas

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If you want to stop, the patch is the best. But for the first couple of month, you need something to occupy your fingers. I had a pencil in my car and put it between my fingers.

By gary

i smoked for about 36 years. then i had a heart attack. triple bypass surgery. Then and only then i quit smoking. after almost 5 years i cannot stand being around them or anyone that smells like them. Truth is you have to want to quit. Good luck to all that wants to quit.

By Orphie

After fifteen years I feared the inability to quit and also worried I'd gain those guaranteed extra pounds.

We're told that the physical craving is purged quickly . .then you're down to the habitual behavior.

And one day I decided enough was enough. Stopped cold. That was four and a half years ago - and no weight gain. I don't pretend that this is a viable solution for everyone, but it just worked for me. Decide to stop. Don't even pick a day. Just wake up one morning and define yourself as a non-smoker. Mind over matter can work.

Monday 18 January

By Rob

I bought an e-cig three months ago and have not had a yearn for tobacco since. If you have a nicotine addiction try an e-cig. You can satisfy your craving and save money to boot!

By Robert Green

Dear Mel, why don't you light up a stick of Dynamite and puff on that!!!! You piece of S-H-I-T!

By Jen

That's harsh!!!

By linda

dont be the one to throw the first stone

By Tip

Why Don't YOU Puff on THIS.

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