I had stopped smoking for 29 years - yes, that's right, 29 years cigarette-free. Then in 2009, I was in Thailand, sitting at the hostel with a couple of young people, having a beer and a chat. They were smoking clove cigarettes which smelled so good that I thought I would try one, never dreaming that one cigarette would hurt me. I was hooked and soon up to a pack a day.

Here I am, 2 years later, still trying to stop. I'm ashamed and disgusted with myself. I hide my smoking from my children and grandchildren and lie to my friends. I try to rationalize it to myself, saying, 'at this age, I should be able to do what I want'. But it doesn't work - I need to stop this foolishness. I value my health. Last week, I bought Thrive lozenges and I'm really going to be a non-smoker again.

No, as of yesterday, January 1st, I AM a non-smoker.