My progress has been slow, but positive.
I made it through the Festive Season, but I have fallen off the wagon a few times.
This couple that I know are going through a separation. He smokes; she used to smoke.
I have been good mates with them both for about 40 years.
Whenever I drop in to see him (which at the moment is a couple of times a week), he makes his smokes available to me, saying, "I am not going to offer you one, but if you want one just take it".
He then goes outside for a smoke. I feel stupid sitting alone in his house, so I go out with him, and next thing you know I have a smoke in my hand.
Then his wife dropped around to my place the other week, for dinner and a talk. She actually went down the street and came back with a packet of cigarettes and a bottle of wine.
Evil wench!!! She left the packet behind when she went home.
Of course the temptation was too much for me. I had every intention of throwing them in the bin after she left, but couldn't do it.
Still, at least I have not bought a packet myself. After each transgression I have used nicotine gum, and just tried to put it behind me.
My challenge is to stop associating my friends with having a smoke. This is hard because almost all of them smoke.
We all went to see a movie (Avatar 3D) the other night, then back to a mates place for a drink and to discuss the movie.
Of course, the discussion took place in the backyard while they were all smoking.
I think what I need to do is start routinely exercising. Over time, smoking should become less, and less, palatable. Maybe if I buy myself a pushbike?
Anyway, so, at least I no longer smoke by myself. My smoking is largely around this one mate of mine, and afterward I would rather buy some gum than a packet of smokes.
I regard this as some form of progress, even if it is poor progress.