It has either been a very well-kept secret for years, or Jessica Alba has just taken up smoking.
The actress was spotted lighting up while on holiday in France with husband Cash Warren a fortnight ago, and now she has been seen puffing away in New York.

The Valentine’s Day actress attempted to hide the cigarette when she spotted photographers during a shopping trip in SoHo.

Looking stylish in a denim A-line skirt, studded wrist bands and fashionable caged sandals, the 29-year-old quickly discarded the butt and replaced it with her Blackberry.

With a two-year-old daughter, Honor Marie, Alba has kept her habit well hidden until recently, but sources have suggested that the pressures of Hollywood have been getting to the star.

Two years ago Jessica did hint that she had smoked a different variety while on holiday in Amsterdam.

She told talk show host David Letterman that she ‘forgot how to ride a bike’ while visiting the city.

‘Or while I was there I was in a state of mind that didn’t allow me to ride a bike the way I should have been!’ she joked.

Her smoking comes as somewhat of a surprise as the actress is known for her fit and healthy lifestyle.

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Jessica Alba and Honor were photographed out in Beverly Hills on Sunday  August 15th. Click on the previews above to view more photos.

The multi-talented Jessica Alba looked in her element as she ran around the field at the a charity kickball game in Santa Monica yesterday.
Her husband Cash Warren cheered his 29-year old wife on from the sidelines with their two-year-old daughter Honor Marie.
Dressed casually in white rolled up tracksuit bottoms and converse trainers, Jessica was taking part in the Rising Stars of America All Stargame.

The charity, founded by Baron Davis point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, is a non profit organisation that runs basketball camps, clinics, and tournaments year round with the aim of helping youths develop leadership skills. Click on the previews above to view more photos.

Jessica Alba attends Michael De Luca’s surprise birthday party hosted by Angelique De Luca and Brett Ratner at Private Residence on August 14, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. Click on the previews below to view more photos.

I’ve updated the gallery with additional photos from Jessica’s Tatler (UK) covershoot, and replaced the older ones with better ones. This is definitely one of my favs of the year so far. Click on the previews above to view more photos.

Jessica Alba poses in a variety of outfits for a ELLE photo-shoot with photographer Carter Smith on August 11, 2010 in Beverly Hills, CA. Among the the accessories in rotation for the afternoon was a pack of cigarettes, from which Alba consistently kept smoking. While regularly photographed, Alba has only seldom been caught with a cigarette. Click on the previews above to view more photos.

Note: Photos are extremely low quality

Jessica Alba uses her sweet innocent actress appeal to charm the likes of a LAPD traffic officer into letting her off with a warning, after being pulled over for speeding, in Beverly Hills, Ca on August 11, 2010. Click on the previews above to view more photos.

It wasn’t difficult for Jessica Alba to fall for her handsome hubby Cash Warren. In fact, the actress felt something extra special about him during their first interaction.

“Right after I met [Cash], I called my best friend and was like, ‘I met this guy and I feel like I’ve known him forever and I’m gonna know him for the rest of my life,” Alba, 29, says in the September issue of Cosmopolitan magazine.

Instant connections only get couples so far, but after four years of dating, two years of marriage, and a 2-year-old daughter Honor Marie, Alba says Warren is much more than just that guy she hit things off with instantly.

“The romantic stuff comes and goes, but it’s like, does that person have your back?” she says. “You have to be a team navigating through wherever life may lead you and I want a friend for that.”

Source: People.com

Lindsay Lohan who appears on the cover of Maxim’s September 2010 issue was asked how it was working with Jessica Alba in the interview.

What was it like to work with Jessica Alba and Michelle Rodriguez in Machete?
We all had different work schedules, but I know Jessica, and I think she’s a lovely, sweet girl, and hopefully we can do more work together. I love Michelle — she’s so talented and kick-ass!

For Lindsay Lohan’s exclusive Maxim interview and brand new Maxim photos, pick up the latest issue of Maxim on newsstands!

Jessica Alba was photographed house hunting in Brentwood, California on Tuesday, August 11th 2o1o. Click on the previews above to view more photos.