Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has said he has cut down on smoking drastically.

''From 70-80 cigarettes a day, I smoke three to four times. I feel healthy and happy. Smoking is bad and a no-no for a person with back pain,'' said the popular actor who had undergone a spine surgery few years ago and had declared on his 40th birthday recently that he would give up smoking.

Impressed by his resolve, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramdoss had written to him seeking his help in anti-smoking awareness.

When asked about it at a press conference here, Shah Rukh said he would not like to be an ambassador about an issue which is entirely the personal choice of an individual.

''As a role model, I have been always saying that smoking is bad. I have decided to give up smoking because it is my individual decision and resolve. I always tell the youth that do not do things what your parents say is bad,'' he said.