I Quit.

They say it's a good idea to keep a diary when you decide to quit smoking and so that's what I'm gonna do here. Cos I'm thinking since I haven't had one in over 2 days and counting, I might as well give it a try...

Why? Well, obviously there's that wee issue of a national smoking ban to contend with, but my main reasons are:

1. I've been feeling like shit since Xmas. Weird little aches and pains in my torso, occaisional numbness in my arms and hands. Doc said it was nothing serious - I just need to live a slightly healthier lifestyle. So I've been doing weights and eating the subsidised food in the Canteen here (cos it's a lot healthier than anything I can manage myself). The Doc said I really need to stop smoking, cos otherwise I'll be going down the same road as my father (quadruple heart bypass etc).

2. Fags are shit. They really are. And I'm not saying this as a reformed smoker in the slightest. I really could murder one. But why? It's not because I 'need' one. It's the evil Nic-o-teen telling me I need one. I actually went to a 'quit smoking' seminar at work back in March where I discovered it truly is a wholly negative habit. You want a Cigarette to satiate the fix your addiction craves. Destroy the addiction - Neutralise the craving.

3. Fags do nothing. They don't get you drunk, or stoned. I am not paying money for a drug that does nothing except relieve the fix that it creates itself.

4. That smoking ban. I can no longer smoke in pubs. I concede defeat. This is the whole reason I started smoking in the first place.

5. The Money. Nuff said. It's a total waste of cash.

6. Boredom - Aside from all this, I'm utterly sick of using the art of smoking as the grease around the wheels, the third leg to stand on and the missing link in conversation. I'm so busy at work nowadays that I'll often skip my afternoon drag. It only takes a little more willpower to cut it out completely.

So there ya go.

Apparently, the first 72 hours are the hardest. And I've done about 52 so far. The next hurdle will be getting to the 3 week mark, and then my physical addiction will be neutralised.

Anyway... I was thinking this would help and now I'm gasping for one. Touch wood I can go the rest of the day.... DOH!