London, March 6 (IANS): Actress Cameron Diaz has irked anti-smoking charities after confessing at a chat show that "one cigarette once in a while is not going to kill you".

She left the critics fuming after claiming that cigarettes were healthier than diet coke. The 41-year-old star used to smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day and quit when she feared it was setting a bad example, reports mirror.uk.

"I think one cigarette once in a while is not going to kill you. Diet Coke is bad news. I’d rather just drink sugar. It's better for you," she said on the chat show.

"Diaz is deluding herself. One cigarette might not kill you, but before you know it you’re smoking five a day and that’s all that’s needed to give you cancer,” said her book promoter, Chelsea.

The beverage Institute for Health and Wellness defended themselves by saying that they have confirmed that the use of artificial sweeteners “aspartame”, which is present in diet coke, does not cause health problems.