Keith Richards Explains What Method Helped Him Finally Quit Smoking

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards might be one of the most notorious partiers in the history of rock 'n' roll. But despite his image, Keef has spent much of the last decade working on himself and developing healthier habits.

A few years ago, Richards revealed that he'd dramatically cut down his drug use, finding today's hallucinogens too "institutionalized and bland." Later in 2018, he said he had "pulled the plug" on booze. In early-2020, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer revealed that after more than five decades of chain smoking, he quit tobacco.

He explained how he did it on the latest edition of CBS Sunday Morning.

"It's funny, I don't think about it much anymore," he said of his former smoking habit. "I got a few [nicotine] patches for a few weeks. Sometimes, you know, a bell rings, something inside says, 'Hey, pal — enough!' So I just put the hammer on it."

Richards added that he doesn't miss smoking at all. His decision to quit is validated every time he performs.

"...I started rehearsing for the tour last August, and then I realized that I had 10 times more wind!"

Keef recently reunited his solo band, the X-Pensive Winos, to play the sixth annual Love Rocks NYC benefit for God's Love We Deliver.

The Rolling Stones are due to get back on tour in Europe, starting this June. Go here for the tour dates.