No Smoking Day...

Today is No Smoking Day. A day to encourage smokers to quit. Thankfully, I don't smoke and haven't done in about 6 years. I gave up by going cold turkey over a couple of days I'd taken off from work. It wasn't easy.

Time was when I could easily top 30 a day without really trying. Given the option, I'd chain smoke. My clothes must have reeked of the stuff. If I went out at night, I could smoke myself hoarse. I liked smoking.

I've just re-read a piece I wrote about No Smoking Day back in 2002:

Yesterday was No Smoking Day here in the UK. I quite happily ignored it without one pang of guilt. I suppose it's quite useful to have one day which focuses attention on the issue... but it doesn't work for me.

I actually enjoy smoking but that doesn't mean I don't want to give up; I'm well aware of all the negatives associated with the habit. But the one thing that's gonna increase the number I get through in the day is some organised campaign to encourage me to stop. Child psychology. I must have a rebellious streak.

Wanting to be different and interesting; it's probably the most important factor that got me started in the first place. It's the same reason I never make New Year resolutions: I don’t want to be part of that set that search desperately to abstain from something on the 1st of January only to be admitting failure before they've taken the Christmas decorations down.

"What can I do - abstain from alcohol, become vegetarian, go on a diet, take up jogging, take up blogging, stop picking my nose?" I'd rather make any lifestyle changes quietly, when the moment's right for me. No Smoking Day? Sorry, I don't have the time; I've got to pop out for 20 Marlboro before the shops shut.

Re-reading that is like reading something someone else has written. It doesn't sound like my voice. How times change and one's priorities with them. If you'd asked me then whether I saw myself in 6 years time as a non-smoker, I'd have thought you were mad.

Eventually, I did give up smoking and for good (I hope). I'd tried many times but returned to smoking because I liked it. The reason I stopped 6 years ago (and so far have managed to stay stopped) is that I found something that I liked more than smoking. That something is running.

Good luck to all those who've decided to give up. One day at a time...

Today's run at 18:18
Distance	4.01 km	Time	22:41
Pace	5:39 min/km	Cadence	80 spm
Comments: Cold, foggy.