Diary of an ex-smoker

Aug 22 2008 by Julie Simpson

THIS week I start my bid to stop smoking – but I’m not doing it alone.

I’ve signed up to an NHS service called Fresh Air-shire, which I mentioned in last week’s column.

The project offers a range of help to smokers like me trying desperately to kick their habit.

I’ve been given a box of Nicotine patches to help me through the cravings.

I’ll also have to report to the pharmacy every week to get breathalysed as part of my progress.

They use something called a Smokerlyzer to measure the levels of carbon monoxide in my lungs – so I can’t cheat!

And I’ve been given a very helpful book by my colleague Cheryl, who stopped smoking many years ago.

It’s called Allen Carr’s Easy Way To Stop Smoking Method, and she swears blind by it. Time will tell if it can help me too.

I’ve tried stopping so many times that I’m now willing to give anything a try.

Now’s the time to make it happen.