Bondipom

I think thats true but obviously I never thought about it when I booked my ticket for the end of January. Bloody stupid really. Here's hoping I get good air conditioning.

Thanks Jo

Have been on and off the fags for the last couple of months - giving up costs a fortune with all those bloody lozenges adn stuff. I'm on my last ten - definitely.

More of those minging (a local word) lozenges tomorrow.

Talk soon - all advice greatly received on conquering the fag demon

Sleep tight

My method of giving up was cold turkey and confronting smoking situations. First time was a failure because I believed I could become a social smoker but 2 weeks after a night with 1 cigarette I was back on 20 marly reds a day.

Second time I was more determined. I put on weight because of all the crisps I ate to stop the fidgeting down the pub but I figured a few pounds now was far better than chronic heart disease in the future.

I found the first month the hardest.

I found the first 2-4 weeks the hardest too, for me the clincher was to go somewhere completely new & then there were no associated cravings ie cravings when in the car, sitting in front of tv, when you finish shopping/work etc. Confronting smoking situations is far too hard IMO when you are battling with the physical cravings.

Dagboy & I went to Fiji for 2 weeks (it was actually our honeymoon LOL). We were on a (basically) deserted island, no tv, no cars etc, there was absolutely NO temptation to smoke what-so-ever. I had used patches heaps of times before, I just ended up smoking with the damn things on! (Not a good idea, it makes most people very VERY ill!). The holiday worked. Another huge advantage is having a partner who doesnt smoke.

Once we got back after the 2 weeks it was much MUCH easier at home to overcome any cravings. The habit took a little while to kick (vs the physical cravings) but I think after about 3 months I very rarely ever even thought of having one.

BTW I was a seriously addicted & heavy smoker, I wasnt the sort of person who could go 2 days without one if were sick or something, I would crawl on my stomach over broken glass to have one LOL (well back then, not now!). I know not everyone has the opportunity (or the money) to go to Fiji or on a luxurious holiday, but hey, migration to Australia is about as different as you are going to get & will probably work almost as well .

Good luck!!! If I can do it, I think just about anyone can .

I found the 3 hardest moments to confront were

The post meal cigarette
Coffee time
Down the pub or going out.

The post meal time craving is impossible to avoid. Some people give up coffee I just drank more and am now a caffeine addict.

By far the hardest situation was going out and avoiding the social smoke. Those that I knew who were smokers of course were so kind as to offer me cigerettes at every possible moment. At uni I had no choice but to confront.

Mrs Dagboy I have know plenty of peple smoke with the patches and they even tried pretending they were still giving up because they were using patches.

The great thing the health risks start reducing within days of giving up.

Hi BP

Those were my worst times too (gave up just over 11 years ago). I had one HUGE advantage over you, though - I don't drink, so rarely went into pubs!

I used positive affirmations to give up cold turkey - instead of saying 'I don't smoke', which is a negative, I said 'I am a non-smoker', which is a positive.

Mind you... it was usually said through gritted teeth!

Oh yeah - I gave up coffee, too. So, don't smoke, don't drink, don't drink coffee, avoid fast foods.... Feel much healthier, now. Don't you hate me?

YES!!!! LOL

WB DUP

I dont drink much either I still have alcohol in the cupboard from 3 years ago, dont drink coffee (although I do drink cola drinks) & tend to avoid most fast foods. Doesnt make me any healthier, but people can hate me too now LOL.

The post meal thing was easier not being at home & sitting around afterwards chatting to other guests on the island (it was a *communal* meal table where everyone sat together & ate at the same time). Much easier to overcome when its different.

Dont like the pea soup but I would give anything to have that pie i bet i'ts "luverly".......believe me you are all going to find out soon enough, no one has meat pies, Bangers, and Bacon like you get in England.........

faggots, peas and gravy is one of life's little treats.

best purchased fresh from swansea (or neath) market.

Just think of the meat that goes into meat pie. Funny how they do not specify which animal let alone which parts make the meat.

According to 4 and 20 the meat pie is Australian.

The Aussies and Kiwis make better pies than you get these days in the UK. Tried and personally tested. Real meat, a bit of care and attention. Great pastry.

Back to the topic of conversation which sit-com are we all in?

Only Fools and Horses?

What about the after sex smoke?

Seinfeld.

A show about nothing! Complete with Forum Nazis!

Bit more like "Men (and women) behaving badly" at times!!!