TRAINEE lawyer Louisa Smith is a new non-smoker who decided to kick the habit at New Year and now says she'd never date anyone who smoked. The 22-year-old, from Edinburgh, smoked for many years and had several failed attempts to stop, but is now nicotine-free.
She said: 'The majority of my friends smoke, but there are a few of us who have given up this year. I think the smoking ban will certainly keep us motivated. I don't want to have to sit in the smoking areas of restaurants any more as I really notice the smell on my clothes the next day.'
'You tend not to notice the smell when you smoke yourself but once you stop you notice it.' After quitting, she feels much better and is determined not to light up again.
She said: 'Before, after nights out I felt horrible. It's five weeks now and I'm feeling healthier. That has inspired me to go to the gym more, so it's helped me all round. I am determined to keep it up and believe there is no going back. Now I've quit, I would definitely be put off dating a smoker. I am too aware of the downsides.'
ALTERNATIVE HELP
IF you really want to stop smoking but need some help fighting the cravings and don't fancy using nicotine gums, inhalers or patches, there are natural ways you can kick the bad habit.
Dee Atkinson, of Napiers Herbalists, has helped many clients after they stubbed out their last cigarette.
Here are some of her top tips...
Lobelia syrup is an old-fashioned cough remedy which is useful in clearing all the gunk out of a smoker's lungs when they quit. It can also help chesty coughs and other lung problems. Lobelia blocks nicotine receptors and can help with cravings. It'll make you feel sick if you smoke after taking it, so can help as a type of aversion therapy. 100ml costs £5.95.
If, like the majority of new non-smokers, you get agitated without your fags, try some nervine remedies to reduce stress, irritability and anxiety. Napiers Valerian Compound is a liquid blend of calming herbs that includes valerian, passiflora, Jamaican dogwood, lavender and oats. 100ml costs £7.45. Oats are traditionally used to help treat addictions. They have a calming, supportive effect on the nervous system and body as a whole, and balance mood levels. Napiers Organic Oat Tincture costs £6.45.
For more help call the Herbal Advice Line on 0906 802 0117 (lines are open Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm, calls cost 60p/min).
WHY GIVE UP NOW?
TOMORROW is No Smoking Day and Dr Peter Terry, Chairman of BMA Scotland, is urging smokers to take the chance to stub it out. He said: 'Smoking causes cancer and heart disease. It affects reproductive health and can prevent people from having a family. In addition to this, passive smoke kills thousands of people each year, causes heart disease and asthma and is known to cause middle ear and respiratory infections in children. The scientific evidence speaks for itself. No Smoking Day is the time to make a real difference to your health. Next year, 13,000 Scottish smokers will not be lucky enough to make that choice, as this is the number who die each year from tobacco-related illnesses in Scotland.'
