National No Smoking Day... if I can, you can!

When No Smoking Day came round in the past, I've always moaned about the nanny state - and made a point of smoking more than my usual half ounce a day. I was sure I'd never give up - and so were all those that know me.

This year is different.

Seven weeks ago, I woke up - coughing as always - and decided  enough was enough. After forty-odd years as a heavy smoker, I finally made my mind up to stop, and stop right away.

Armed only with a box of nicotine inhalers, I set off on what is proving to be one of the more difficult journeys of my life. Advice came from all sides, and many suggested that I enroll on an NHS course. Although this might be the way for some, I'm not a great one for group therapy. There's loads about the help the NHS can give on-line - as well as thousands of pages of advice/help/quitting stories et al.

My way was to tell as many people as possible what I had done - and that If I go back to it I really will look a fool! So what is difficult?

Surprisingly, the nicotine addiction faded very quickly: I only used the inhalers for ten days, and the real craving faded.

The habit, however, is different. I've heard stopping described as a form of bereavement. I've lived with tobacco and the act of smoking all my adult life - and I miss it! I'd finish breakfast, pour a coffee,  read the paper... and light a cigarette. I'd wait for the computer to boot... and light a cigarette. Pour a beer - light a cigarette, pause while gardening - light a cigarette... so many situations during a day.

The obvious answer is to avoid the situations - easier said than done! Or count backwards from 10 - or whatever you can come up with to take away feeling of loss. Or come up with displacement activities - I've taken to doing jigsaws!

So what are the current pros and cons, after 50+ days?

Advantages

* Very much better breathing

* Sense of smell and taste returns

* Coughing gets less (but might go on for some time)

* More money in your pocket

* All the medical improvements (which my doctor listed at length - well worth listening to)

* A wonderful feeling of smugness! (Though I'll never criticise anyone for smoking.)

Disadvantages

* Feeling light-headed and disorientated

* Difficulty concentrating

* Instant rapid weight gain (without eating more).

Finally, having observed the multi-million pound no smoking industry closely, I've come to the conclusion that the vital factor in giving up is simple. You must really - and I mean really - want to do it. If you do want to, you will stop. Any doubts and you'll be back to it eventually.

As  for me, I'll say it here as well. I'll never smoke again. And there's no going back!