I had a very stressful week about a fortnight ago and gave into the comfort of a cigarette. I was alarmed just how quickly my reading went up. After just 2 cigarettes my reading was in the danger zone. After doing the test though I am pleased to say that I did not slip back into my old ways but found the incentive to quit even stronger. I also realised that my big mistake was not throwing my remaining packets of cigarettes away when I decided to give up. So when I felt that I needed a cigarette they were just waiting there for me.
I spend most of my time in Spain and really notice the changing attitudes to smoking when visiting the UK. It is already quite common to see no-smoking signs in a number of public places in the UK but in Spain, although a ban is already in place, it is only recently that people have stopped smoking in places such as banks. From my experience the high proportion of Spanish smokers are not being encouraged to give up smoking because the ban is not being properly enforced. With the impression that there is no ban there is no incentive for them to quit.
I feel a real sense of achievement and I'm pleased to say that my father is also very proud of my quit attempt. I have also been surprised how much easier it was to quit after 40 years of addiction. The health benefits are still showing through, my taste is improving week by week, I am enjoying longer walks with my dog and find taking the stairs easier. I can't believe how changing just one thing has affected so many areas of my life.
«Back