I’ve been smoking since I was 15 and I want to give up – but it’s too hard

DEAR DEIDRE: SINCE I was 15 I’ve been smoking and I’m now 38. I smoke at least 20 a day and I know that’s too much. I want to cut down but it’s hard.

I wish now that I’d never started but all the lads used to smoke when I was at school.

I didn’t much like it at first but I still persevered.

I’ve tried cutting down but I’ve realised I don’t want to stop.

I enjoy some of those fags far too much, like the one in the morning with my first cup of tea and the ones that I have after meals. Is there a middle ground?

DEIDRE SAYS: Smoking even a little is bad for your health. It is also extremely addictive (worse than heroin) so trying to cut down to just one or two in a day keeps stimulating the need for the next fag and so makes it even harder to stay in control.

My e-leaflet on Giving Up Smoking explains effective methods to go cold turkey and support that is available.

NEXT IN TODAY’S DEAR DEIDRE I feel like me and my partner aren’t in love but I don’t want to lose him

READ DEIDRE’S PHOTO CASEBOOK Katy is looking for Jake everywhere and turns up at his family home