Neeson used fake cigars on A-Team (From Crewe Guardian)

Neeson used fake cigars on A-Team

1:49pm Thursday 29th July 2010 in Entertainment News © Press Association 2011

Liam Neeson has revealed he initially used fake cigars while filming The A-Team because he didn't want to start smoking again.

The Irish actor, who stars as Hannibal in the new all-action movie, was eventually asked to smoke real cigars by director Joe Carnahan but insisted on using a rubber prop at first.

He said at the film's London press conference: "I got the props guys to make me a rubber one ... someone would occasionally go up and try and light this thing and I'd say no no no, I'm trying to stop smoking."

Joe laughed: "He had what looked like a rubber dog t*rd in his mouth."

Liam said he knew smoking the real cigars would put him at risk of starting smoking again, but he battled through it.

"I am a nicotine addict. I've been off cigarettes for 16 years. Joe insisted I smoked real cigars, which I think is absolutely right," he said.

He went on: "Because there's no trade embargo, because we shot it in Canada with Cuba, we had Cuban cigars. It was dangerous for me for a couple of days."