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 Beth

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Good Luck on kicking the habit!!!!!!

By Roger Zeimet

Have known about Mel's smoking habit since he made "We Were Soldiers" at Fort Benning. At the end of local production the CG hosted a special ceremony in front of Infantry Hall during which the actors including Gibson were made honorary infantrymen. My wife and I noticed that while all the others such as Sam Elliott were still and poised, Mel kept moving his head and arms and legs like a little kid. Poor guy, as I learned later from my boss, an infantry colonel, Gibson had been stuck in Infantry Hall, a non-smoking building, for more than 3 hours attending a pre-ceremony reception. He obviously was dying for a cigarette.

By sharon

Well, I would be happier if he gave up anti-semitism

By Joann

Mel Gibson is still number one!I still watch Breaveheart at least once a week.What a movie.

By Nan

USA should be like Finland. They are considering banning smoking throughout their whole country!! Way to go!! Article said that only about 20% of people there smoke.

By TB Kay

Do the math, he's 54 and has been smoking for 45 years!!! He started smoking when he was 9???? How did he get the cigarettes? Well I guess he has a better chance of quitting smoking than quitting cheating on his wife. Too bad he didn't do this earlier so his other 7 kids weren't exposed to second hand smoke.

By Cathy

It's amazing how many name-droppers there are on this site. Oh yes, you all have inside information about Mel smoking, as if it was some secret! LMAO!

By Loretta

I quit 20 years ago...best decision ever except for turning my life over to God thru Jesus....but, my daughter just quit after 20 years..and she used Chantix. Says it really helped her. Most of all...you just have to really want to quit. Like anything we REALLY want...we usually do what is necessary to get it. His kids and grandkids will be happy to have him around longer...even if it is just a longer "piece".

By john

I am a 66 year old man, who gave up cigarettes at age 27. An older friend encouraged me to it. Not an easy thing to do. But in life, you do things that are not easy. You do it, or you do not do it.
So my advice to Mr. Gibson, and to anyone else, (man or woman), is to guts up, and stop!! And if you can't, then please ...no whys, wherefores, or feeble excuses.

By rederaser

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I have a friend who uses the patch. He said it works great. He has worked his way up to 5 patches a day now.

By Robert

I smoked non filter cigarettes for 51 years and 194 days ago I quit. Woke up with tightness in my chest and decided, no more cigarettes. If you must quit or die sooner than expected, stopping is the best alternative and it really ain't all that difficult. Doesn't bother me at all that I stopped smoking, just wonder why I was so damn stupid not to quit much earlier.

By goodgrief61945

He already waited too long. Emphysema is in his future,,I should know!!

By noksutau

Isn't it amazing how a simple story can lead to such passionate
non-sensicle debate?I guess its true, so many of you have such
pathetic lives you just look for some one to attack. Can some one explian to me why we lost our respect for those who disagree with us, especially when our opinions have zero impact
on the actual story line?

By jegsathome

He looks like he is in the beggining stages of lung cancer, He looks a lot older than he is and his hands look swollen, Someone told me he smokes 7 to 8 pacls of cigaretts a day

Tuesday 19 January

By Cory

Hey Mel, Aren't you admittedly an unrepentant alcoholic? I know when you dissed the cop a few years back you said you were. Since then you have been seen partying in night clubs, divorcing your wife and knocking up 20 something groupies. Maybe you should prioritize your "quit list" a little bit!

By wah

funny how dope is OKAY, but having a smoke is bad? hmm, interesting in that dope will make ones lungs much more blacker than having a smoke. guess as long as people like the smell its okay?

By jpmilnor

Neither smoking tobacco nor marijuana is healthy. Recent medical articles in peer reviewed journals show the following:

a)1 joint causes as much lung damage as 1 pack of cigarettes.

b) regular smoking of marijuana causes certain regions of the brain to shrink.

c) smoking marijuana causes accelerated gum and tooth disease.

and lastly,

d) smoking marijuana is associated with accelerated liver fibrosis in people infected with Hep C, and thusly, liver failure.

Breathing in smoke from burning vegetable matter is not associated with health or longevity. This behavior meets all the criteria for addiction, including withdrawal. Not healthy for anybody, contrary to many internet sites.

By RICH

MEL- WHEN YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE YOUNG CHICKS, YOUR 9 KIDS OR HOMOS.
JUST REMEMBER YOU CAN LITE UP AND HAVE A SHOT. KEEP SMOKING AND DRINKING.

By mshariann1

DEAR MEL, YOU WILL MAKE IT.YOU ARE TOUGH AS NAILS.

By Bleachie

Never have smoked, never will. AND smoking did cost me my marriage . . . my "ex" promised he'd quit after we married, but his one pac a day habit got to over 3 pacs. You have no idea how repulsive this habit is to a non-smoker.

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