Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has opened up about the frightening health scare that finally convinced him to quit smoking after years of struggling with the habit.
The 50-year-old American musician made the revelation during an appearance on Kid Cudi’s Big Bro podcast, where he discussed his journey towards sobriety, past struggles with substance use and the lifestyle changes he has made over the years.
Barker disclosed that he was diagnosed with precancerous changes in his oesophagus, a condition that prompted his doctor to issue a serious warning about the dangers of continuing to smoke.
According to the drummer, the diagnosis became a turning point in his life, forcing him to reconsider a habit he had previously imagined maintaining for the rest of his life.
“I only quit because I got diagnosed with precancer of the esophagus,” Barker revealed during the conversation.
He admitted that he had struggled with excessive marijuana consumption and had not seriously considered quitting before receiving the worrying medical news.
Barker also recalled how his doctor made it clear that he needed to change his lifestyle, describing the diagnosis as a warning that he could not afford to ignore.
“He’s like, ‘This is your warning shot. Don’t f**k around. You’ve got to stop smoking’,” the musician recounted.
The Blink-182 drummer further revealed that he once imagined himself continuing to smoke into old age, just like legendary country musician Willie Nelson.
However, his doctor’s warning completely changed his perspective, making him realise that his health needed to come first.
Despite having stopped smoking, Barker admitted that giving up the habit had not necessarily been easy.
He explained that he had gradually developed a different lifestyle, with running becoming an important part of his daily routine.
The musician credited physical exercise with helping him maintain his new lifestyle, explaining that running had become more important to him than smoking.
“I’ve found even however many years later now, 20 years later, couple miles a day keeps the demons away,” he said.
“My running started getting bigger and more important to me than smoking,” Barker added.
His latest revelations have also brought renewed attention to his long journey towards sobriety, which has been shaped by several difficult experiences.
In 2008, Barker survived a devastating plane crash in South Carolina that claimed the lives of four people.
The musician suffered serious injuries and underwent multiple medical procedures during his recovery.
The tragedy became a major turning point in his life, prompting him to rethink his relationship with drugs and other unhealthy habits.
In previous interviews, Barker has described surviving the accident as an experience that forced him to confront his personal struggles and make significant changes.
He also revealed that the recovery process helped him overcome his dependence on prescription medication, which had become a major challenge before the accident.
Speaking about the experience in an earlier interview, Barker explained that the tragedy became his wake-up call.
The drummer has since embraced a more disciplined lifestyle, incorporating regular exercise and other activities into his routine.
Beyond his personal struggles, Barker remains one of the most recognisable drummers in modern rock music.
He rose to international fame as a member of Blink-182, the influential American rock band behind popular hits including ‘All the Small Things’ and ‘What’s My Age Again?’
His musical career has also seen him collaborate with numerous artists across different genres, establishing himself as one of the most versatile drummers in the entertainment industry.
Barker is also married to reality television personality Kourtney Kardashian, with their relationship attracting considerable attention from fans around the world.
His latest revelation offers another glimpse into the personal challenges behind his public image, particularly his determination to maintain a healthier lifestyle after years of difficult experiences.
The musician’s story also highlights how serious health warnings can become a catalyst for major lifestyle changes, even for people who have struggled for years to abandon certain habits.
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