Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe
© AFP/Warner Bros/File Murray CloseLondon, Feb 24: Daniel Radcliffe aka Harry Potter has been slammed by anti-smoking groups for lighting up a cigarette during a scene in his new play Equus.
Amanda Sandford from anti-smoking organization ASH, said that Radcliffe’s smoking was “regrettable”, especially as he happens to be one of the biggest role models for kids thanks to his role as the lead boy wizard in the movie adaptation of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
"It is regrettable that he is smoking, whatever the circumstances. He is a role model for young people and if he decided to take up smoking in real life that would be of great concern."
And what has Sandford worried is that even though Radcliffe’s smoking is only part of the play, he might just find himself addicted to nicotine.
"Even though it is an act, nicotine is highly addictive and he could find himself hooked," she said.
Radcliffe made his West End debut earlier this month, when he took on the role of an emotionally-troubled boy prone to nudity and the blinding of horses in the drama. (ANI)