Instead of starting my self-denial on the traditional date of January 1, I began my mission on January 22.

When I smoked, I inhaled almost 4,000 different dangerous chemicals that are in cigarettes. Today, my clothes and breath do not smell of tobacco. Stopping smoking is undoubtedly a life-saving personal achievement.

The first thing you must do is talk to your doctor. The second is phone the smokers' quitline. Do not try to do it alone.

After 30 years as a smoker, I now feel more alert. I can smell and taste my food. I am more active and have more time on my hands. Smoking 40 cigarettes a day wasted three hours of my time every day.

The biggest immediate benefit is the knowledge that Gordon Brown and the tobacco companies have lost almost £420 over the last seven weeks.

My employer would not give me a rise of £240 a month but by giving up smoking I have effectively given myself a pay rise.

With my new-found financial surplus I have purchased some useful items. The modem that sent this e-mail letter came from my cigarette fund.

My insurance company reckons I should be off the fags for at least a year before it will consider me a non-smoker. But I know in my ever stronger-beating heart that I shall become one.

I shall miss some of my friends. We spent hours outside in the rain, snow and wind, huddled in little groups. We engaged in small talk to deceitfully while away time while we inhaled. We supported and encouraged each other.

Every once in a while we attended the funeral of one of our members. I was once a subscriber to that dwindling club.

-Peter Mitchell, Thyme Close, Shoreham