The former Newcastle United striker Malcolm MacDonald: "If Gazza wants to smoke, let him" (2'50")

They spoke out after Hoddle said asking the Geordie ace to stop during next month's World Cup finals could have "an adverse effect."

Gascoigne has returned to the weed in recent weeks. With questions over the Middlesbrough midfielder's real fitness still unanswered, the revelation that he was "re-fuelling" on nicotine saw Hoddle asked whether he would clamp down.

Hoddle said: "Paul's been smoking since he was in Rome with Lazio, six or seven years. If I tried to stop him for three weeks now, it might have an adverse effect.

Hoddle: 'stop order might have adverse affect'

"All the things we are doing are aimed at trying to improve their fitness and give us the best possible chance this summer.

"But Ossie Ardiles was on 40-a-day when he won the World Cup with Argentina, and there's a fellow called (Gianluca) Vialli at Chelsea too. It didn't bother Ossie and it doesn't bother me.

"The boys won't do it publicly, but if it's in a private situation, and that's what they're doing, that's fine."

'Lions should roar, not wheeze'

The director of Action on Smoking and Health, Clive Bates, said: "Footballers are so important and iconic. And there you've got one of the most heroic and maverick footballers, who is excellent.

"We're counting on him in the World Cup. Gascoigne needs to think about how he appears to the outside world. He has basically given the green light to hundreds of kids who'll say `If Gazza smokes, it's all right for me'."

The Cancer Research Campaign said: "Gascoigne and Hoddle have really scored an own goal with this one. What the England fans really want to see this summer is Gazza blazing a trail and lighting up the pitch in France, not a cigarette in the dug-out.