Slash refused to quit smoking while his mother was dying of lung cancer - he only kicked the habit after falling ill with pneumonia.

The former Guns N' Roses guitarist, 44, has been a heavy smoker for most of his adult life and admits his addiction to cigarettes spiraled after his mum, Ola, was admitted to hospital last year (09).

He says, "I smoked through the whole thing. I'd be sitting with her at the hospital and go out to smoke. Her illness was so sudden, the suffering went on for seven months and I was there through it all. Every five minutes I needed a cigarette - I had such a habit."

And it wasn't until the rocker suffered his own health scare, that he decided to quit. He adds, "I became ill with a severe case of pneumonia. I couldn't smoke for two weeks, so I gave quitting a shot, but I am finding it hard." (LR/WNTSU/ZN)

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