Well I found the first article, posted on a BMW forum of all places.
It appears theres quite a few U2 fans there...
People : I Puff to be Gruff
[ 24/03/2003 ]
Not smoking made my voice girly: Bono
by Eamonn O'Hanlon
Source : People
U2 front man Bono has defied doctors orders and started smoking again -- in a bid to keep his voice sounding butch.
The star, who kicked the habit three years ago after a potentially career-ending sinus infection, this week claimed tobacco had given his singing a more masculine edge.
He told a specially-invited audience in New York he was surprised when listening to early U2 albums at how feminine he sounded.
"I thought I sounded like a girl at times," he admitted.
"That's why I first started smoking cigars and putting my voice through reverb -- to try to make it sound better."
Bono, who has already curbed his drinking after discovering he is allergic to certain enzymes in wine, had struggled to quit smoking for years.
He picked up the habit in the 1990s, but was admitted to hospital during U2's massive PopMart tour in 1997 after suffering persistent problems with his voice.
He underwent surgery on his nose, throat and ears at Dublin's Blackrock Clinic to clear a blockage in his sinuses.
Doctors warned him at the time that smoking was likely to aggravate the complaint, saying that further infections could permanently damage his singing.
But the star stunned fans at a question and answer session at New York University last weekend by casually lighting up a cigar as he chatted about his career.
Under new legislation brought in by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg smoking is to be banned in bars and restaurants throughout the city from the end of the month.
Pals say Bono is well aware of the dangers of smoking and tries to limit himself to the odd cigar.
"He knows the risks, but it is a matter of personal choice.
"He tried not to smoke in public, because he does not want to negatively influence youngsters, but last weekend was an exception."
Bono had been scheduled to attend the function -- part of the New York Times' Arts and Leisure festival -- the previous weekend but was forced to cancel because of a slipped disc in his back.
Asked about the injury he joked that it was the result of too much "wild sex" for his age.
He also revealed that U2's next album, currently being recorded in Dublin, would mark a dramatic departure from the band's previous releases.
"It sounds like a chainsaw being started up, more cutting down of The Joshua Tree," he said
--------------------------------------------
This was elsewhere on Interference
Achtung Baby! U2's Bono Breaches Irish Smoking Ban
DUBLIN (Reuters) - Rock 'n' roll ain't what it used to be. U2 frontman Bono has apologized -- for having a cigarette.
The breach of Ireland's new smoking ban was committed last week during a night out with Californian rockers the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The singer, real name Paul Hewson, was spotted lighting up during a late-night bash in the plush Tea Room restaurant of the Clarence Hotel, which he and fellow U2 mates own.
"It was the wee small hours. I was in the company of people from out of town who didn't know about the ban and for a moment nor did I," newspapers quoted Bono as saying Friday.
"I was quickly reminded by the staff and a few friends. I apologized then and I apologize now."
Ireland became the first country in the world to outlaw smoking in the workplace when it introduced the ban earlier this year. The government has hailed it as a resounding success with most people -- the odd rock star aside -- complying.