I smoked at uni, everyone did. Everyone smoked their heads off and drank too much. I had a ruddy fantastic time and I loved smoking, really loved it. We all left uni, found jobs, partners, whole new lives. Gradually everyone in my circle stopped smoking. I gave up in 2004. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I’ve missed it ever since but never really regretted giving up.

I’ve had a load of problems this year, two surgeries, very prolonged rehab and now anxiety and depression have taken a grip of me. I started hanging out with a group of new people who smoked, after a couple of drunken nights cadging their fags I went and bought a packet. And another packet and another packet and so on, you get the picture. I’ve now smoked since July this year. I do love it, I enjoy every drag, but I know the party has to end soon. Ideally it has to end now.

With this in mind I was really pleased to be invited to document my Stoptober journey with the help of Boots. I’ve got an appointment with an advisor who will talk me through my options and I’ll get to try a range of products that will help and support me in my mission to stub out my dirty habit for good.

Please do follow my journey, I’ll be writing a weekly update on my progress throughout Stoptober. If you want to join me you can find a range of tools and guidance on how to quit smoking during Stoptober and beyond here.

Thanks for reading.