Prince Harry Battles the Evil Weed

(CBS)  This story was filed by CBSNews.com's London-based entertainment contributor Neil Sean.

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Prince Harry hasn't had the easiest of summers, and his next challenge doesn't promise to be any easier.

It all began when Harry lost the "love of his life," Chelsea Davy, a sting from which he hasn't fully recovered. Then the endless headlines about his hard-partying lifestyle made him decide to "knuckle down" and start taking his life and career seriously.

Apart from a recent glitch that saw the media uncover his questionable taste in evening attire, it's been pretty plain sailing.

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But there's one thing still bothering the Prince. He's angry at himself for returning to the evil weed. Cigarettes have played a part in Harry's life since his early school days. He says he wishes he'd never started the foul habit, but alas, it's back, with a vengeance.

His father, Prince Charles, who has never smoked, is stunned at Harry's recent return to smoking and is appalled that his son was recaptured by nicotine addiction so easily.

He had pretty much given it up, so why is Prince Harry now a steady 10 to 20 per day smoker - "more when he's out partying, of course"?

It's largely down to the pressure of his new role in the military and the various tests he has undergone over the summer to complete his training with the Royal Air Force.

"He has been putting himself under extreme pressure, and when that happens he turns back to cigs," a source close to the prince tells me.

Many past attempts have failed, but now, Harry feels he may at last have found a way to kick the habit for good.

Paul McKenna - the man with a "guru-like trance" over his millions of fans, may be the Prince's knight in shining, smoke-free armor.

Harry has been given a copy of McKenna's book "Quit Smoking Now" by a friend.

The book has been a best-seller for the one-time stage hypnotist and has received many endorsements from celebrities and ordinary people around the world.

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My source says McKenna's program appeals to Harry because it's supposed to help you "retrain your mind".

"He knows that he doesn't set a great example to people around him and younger fans who look up to him, and he does try hard to quit, but he'd be the first to admit that he now needs to try harder," added my source.

Harry is apparently going to try and give up cigarettes cold-turkey, as he wants to be at peak fitness for his coming months of helicopter training.

The Prince knows, however, that McKenna's book is just an aid - in the end, it's all down to his own royal will power.

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Neil Sean is a U.K. entertainment columnist and TV commentator. His reports are heard on more than 100 U.K. radio stations and he has a show on The Biography Channel.
By Neil Sean

[barbaram99]

My friend used to smoke cigerettes for years.He is 57. Then he had his fisrt heart attack in Sep 00. He quit cold turkey. Yep. He has not smoked since.
HRH Harry smokes. He should quit for his health sakes.It can be done. My friend told me he wished never smoked. My friebd hates the smell of cigerettes.
He has never smaked in our apt. He went outdoors and did that nasty habit. The doctor told him to quit.
Harry has to quit for him. Not another person can force him to quit.I never smoked.

[TheMasses2002]

This is not entertaining or relevant to news.
Par for the course here!

[Snowhare]

Hey, this is not even entertainment! He's somoking a package a day. So - what? How many normal people have the same habit.
Do a general research on how smokers can be helped and put it on under health. But this royal - ah why do I even bother to think about the guy?
Anyway: what do I care about any prom's smoking? If they do stuff that affects the world, report it! But leave their private matters private!

[spiritwalk]

Why is this article in ENTERTAINMENT?

[Sloughfoot]

Perhaps the reader may find it amusing???

[rf35]

Good luck, Prince Harry. I know how hard it is to quit and stay smoke-free. The cravings will never ever go away and sometimes strike when you least expect them, but with the right support and motivation, you can do it!

[amulette]

"Evil Weed" LOL.If 10-20 cig's a day is the worst thing you ever do then your way ahead of most,and if Charles is appalled by this considering all he has to be proud of as a father then he is the one with a far worst problem than you Dear Harry.

[Hosheen]

Hmm, inability to stop smoking when so many have found it relatively easy seems to indicate a lack of will power and purpose. Well, no matter. As long as it's William that will be king, Harry is just a footnote.

[rf35]

Says someone who has obviously never had to battle a nicotine addiction. It's slightly more difficult to quit than heroin.

[bdbeans]

rf35, I wouldn't necessarily go that far. Have you ever met a heroine addict? Psst... Makes giving up cigarettes look like putting down a fork. Maybe no ones bothered to tell Harry the effect it'll have on his sex life? That by the time he's in his mid 30's, he'll be less 'rock hard' and more like 'soft serve'.