"An ex-smokers story"

Me and my partner initially went to a stop smoking 6 week course at the Zeals Garth about 3 years ago and managed to stop smoking for about 8 weeks.

It got to the New Year and we both thought we could have a cig whilst chatting over a celebratory drink and then stop again then reality hit we realised it's not that easy - we both started smoking again.

Last year we decided to try again with the online smokefree site - we have now both been non-smokers since 4th July 2009. Something I never thought I'd say.

The thought that has stayed with me is the knowledge I gained on my first attempt and that is you cannot even have as much as a drag of a cig because cigs will draw you back in - being addicted to smoking is like being addicted to alchohol or drugs - so addictive - so say no and be strong.

I smoked for 40 plus years and I am so proud of myself - my partner smoked for 20 plus years. We now live in a smokefree home and travel in a smokefree car and I never realised until I stopped just how much smoking stank, how much I must have stank of smoke, and how much smoking dirtied and damaged our environment.

I don't think I will - because an addict can never say never - but hopefully I will never smoke again and I have at last beaten my demons but the thing with being an ex-smoker is the temptation will always be there so you just have to be strong enough to know - say no!

It definitely helped that my partner stopped with me as we both supported each other and also that smoking is being prohibited in public areas ie pubs clubs eating places public buildings etc. Temptation is lessened.

Finally - Thank you NHS for all your support and help.