Quitters' panel: 31 days to go

With just 31 days until the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces in England, the Magazine is tracking four smokers on their efforts to quit the habit. So, how did they handle the bank holiday?

Dave Chapman is 22, works for a logistics company and lives in Rickling Green, Essex. His story

Sandra Green is 48 and an admin assistant from Dronfield, Derbyshire. Her story

Reetu Kabra is 24 and a publicist who lives and works in London. Her story

Russel Hopps is 65 and a funeral director from Manchester. His story

DAVE CHAPMAN

This bank holiday I made the foolish mistake of going camping. High winds and torrential rain meant most of my time was spent in the tent drinking beer and chain smoking.

Although "chaining" would probably be the worst thing to do when you're planning to give up, I have actually found that I've smoked so little over the last two days because my throat is destroyed.

I'm taking advantage of the situation and I think I'm going to try and not buy any tobacco this week, just to see how it feels. A taster for the real quitting process if you will.

I am going camping in the summer again which makes me wonder, how will I get by without smoking if the weather isn't good? It kept me warm and gave me something to do and without it I can see myself getting bored silly, so I think instead of caving in and having a cigarette I might just make sure that it's not going to be gale force when I next go camping.

SANDRA GREEN

The bank holiday itself wasn't too bad, although on Sunday my family and I went to a 21st birthday party and that was really hard. There were a lot of people smoking and I really wanted one.

I think having my parents and sister there helped a lot, as they are really pleased I am stopping. I did use my inhalator quite a lot, but I did feel proud of myself.

Driving home afterwards I did think "I really don't need cigarettes". It actually gave me a bit of a jolt because I think up to that point I had looked at giving up as a way of paying for my car, now I am giving up for me as well.

The problem I have at the moment is the devil and the angel on my shoulders. The devil saying "so what if you just have one" and the angel saying "you're doing really well just be strong and it will get easier". I know from past attempts this always happens and I will get through it. I hope everyone else is doing OK.

RUSSEL HOPPS

I got through the bank holiday and didn't smoke, I put it down to sheer willpower. I've managed to get through quite a few situations recently that have been tough.

I went to a 65th birthday party and everyone was smoking. I found that hard and at one point picked up a lit cigarette that had been left in an ash tray. I looked at it and then put it down. My friends who still smoke encourage me to keep going, I think youngsters probably get more pressure from their friends to have a fag.

It's still hard and I still like the smell of a lit cigarette, but my home smells so much better and so do my work premises. It's really noticeable.

I also recently went to the dentist for a check-up. She told me she could see a big difference and my teeth were not as stained as they were when I smoked. That was really good to hear. I felt proud of myself.

REETU KABRA

As is always the case, bank holidays mean more socialising and drinking. This obviously makes the temptation to smoke much greater.

The best way I've found to deal with these situations is to focus on how much fun it can be to catch up with friends and how you don't need cigarettes to enjoy these times. This is the rule that needs to be applied to all holidays.

By definition holidays are supposed to be relaxing and fun times and the last thing you want to do is worry about cigarettes.

It's not always an easy thing to do, even though it seems obvious, but focus on the fact that you're with your friends and loved ones and not that you're without cigarettes. The more you can do this, the happier a non-smoker you'll be.

---

Add your comments on this story, using the form below.

Terms & Conditions