The surgery was like a dentist's practice complete with reclining chair and trolleys with scary-looking tools.

I was nervous, not to mention sceptical, but seeing hundreds of pounds go up in smoke every year, and realising the damage smoking was doing to me, gave me the impetus I needed.

There is nothing quite like the BICOM Quit Smoking programme because how many improve-your-health courses require you to first light up?

You take two or three drags and then puff what you hope is your last puff of smoke into a glass tumbler and extinguish the cigarette and its burning toxins in the bottom.

Myriam Greene, a kinesiologist and bioresonance therapist, based at the Eaton Medical Centre in Eaton Villas, Hove, uses her BICOM machine to take reaction readings from the patient in relation to the toxins in the tumbler.

She records electromagnetic measurements and then feeds an electromagnetic antidote back into your body. It sounds like electric-shock treatment but there is no sensation.

Afterwards you sit back in the chair for about 20 minutes and that is it - away you go.

Apparently, the process cancels the electro-magnetic charge of the tar and toxins.

More than 70 per cent of people using the system have successfully quit after just one session and 98 per cent after two sessions.

The second session is vital for all patients to support their lung health and adrenal system.

The cost is £75, which is not bad when taking into account savings from quitting.

Ms Greene, who holds two sessions a week at the Hove clinic, is excited: "It's hard not to be enthusiastic when you see the results.

"Addiction is a very difficult thing to overcome and the problem aggravates a lot of side effects, including financial hardship.

"It's great when you see positive results but I agree this programme does seem too good to be true."

The theory behind this "bioresonance" therapy (BRT) is based on physics.

A smoker's immune system has, if you like, become immune to smoke and its toxins.

The BICOM machine measures the electromagnetic information of the patient via meridian lines on the hand and modifies the body's energy field to raise the immune system.

It mirror-images the information and feeds back the correcting signals through an electrode mesh on a mat against which you rest your back. You feel nothing.

I felt I needed a cigarette afterwards. The craving was still there but minutes later it subsided. I was pleasantly surprised and, at the same time, fearful the next stressful situation I found myself in would make me crack.

But part of the treatment is designed to counter the craving and the need to reach for an alternative to cigarettes, like chocolate.

The BICOM sends electromagnetic oscillations into the body to support the adrenal system, which responds to stress.

First developed in Poland, there are just 20 BICOM machines in Britain treating smokers.

Ms Greene began her quit-smoking clinics a year ago and has treated 100 people (much of her time is spent using the BICOM machine to treat allergies).

She warned me of a strange side effect: "Do not be surprised if the water in the bottom of your shower or bath looks brown. This will be from the toxins coming out through your skin."

I now have to drink lots of spring water (two litres a day) and keep dishes of healthy snacks nearby, such as nuts, seeds or chopped carrots and celery.

Not the sort of nibble I normally yearn for.

But "think of the benefits", I say to myself. Not only will I have better health, better-looking skin, eyes, hair and smoke-free clothes, but my energy levels will be higher, I'll have more money and I will have won the war against the wicked weed.

Oh yeah?

It is a case of so far, so good but as to the future we shall see.

For more information, call the centre on 01273 733620.