Giving up smoking

I'm not going to tell you how terrible smoking is, far from it. What I am going to tell you is what it's like to be a quitter

I loved smoking. It was one of my absolute favourite things to do. Actually, if I'm being honest it was my favourite thing to do. Not only did I love it, I was really good at it too, cracking through at least 20 cigarettes a day with the greatest of ease. Sadly though, even the best relationships can turn sour and so, after 12 happy years, my ciggies and I parted a fond farewell.

I know many people will have stubbed out their last cigarette on 1 January 1 (New Year, new start and all that). For them and for anybody who is thinking about giving up, I want to give you a little glance into the future and a few things I've learnt that might just help you on your way.

Socially

When I was in my early 20s all my friends smoked but things are different now. I haven't changed my friends to match my new non-smoking lifestyle but magically, one by one, they've come to join me. Smoking doesn't make you a social pariah but it's definitely not necessary to be 'in the gang'.

I think growing up has something to do with it but society is changing too. The decadent naughtiness of smoking is somewhat diminished by standing in gale force winds and sub zero temperatures in order to do so.

That first cigarette of the day

This used to be my absolute favourite cigarette, closely followed by cigarette with a beer or cigarette after a meal (I'll come onto these later). The great news is that I do not miss the early morning cigarette AT ALL. Not one bit. After the first few weeks of giving up were over this was one of the first desires to ebb away. I imagine this is because first thing in the morning you don't have any external factors contributing to your smoking choice, other than habit that is.

With a coffee

I used to think of coffee and cigarettes as the ultimate duo. What better combination was there? Your winning combo might be fags and tea or diet coke but whatever it is, the fundamentals are the same; a combination that you can't imagine enjoying without the cigarettes.