Gaurav Dubey (MID-DAY; January 5, 2015)

New Year is the time for making resolutions and Sushant Singh Rajput has resolved to ditch his ‘best, coolest friend’ of several years. Hold on, he’s talking about cigarettes, which he got hooked to during his engineering days and couldn’t do without until recently. Sushant tweeted about the decision yesterday morning, saying: “I thought u were my best, coolest friend& i wanted u all the time, but the payback u ask4 is immense& we can no longer be friends. # quitsmoking (sic).”

A source close to the actor says, “It’s been quite a while since he last lit up a cigarette. He is a role model for thousands of youngsters and his decision to quit smoking will, hopefully, set an example for impressionable minds, who succumb to tobacco use.”

Sushant tells hitlist, “I started smoking during my engineering and theatre days because everyone around me thought it was cool to fag. Soon after, it became part of my lifestyle. However, a few weeks ago while shooting, I thought about it for the first time and realised how stupid and dangerous a habit it was and decided to give up smoking immediately. Surprisingly, it was very easy; I never had a craving post that. I want all smokers to know that tobacco may not necessarily kill you, but it takes away a lot from your life which is terrible. If not for yourself, give it up for those who love you.”