Stoptober - Diary of a Quitter: Day 14

Matthew Backhouse smokes his last cigarette before starting Stoptober. Photo / Nick Reed

Journalist Matthew Backhouse chronicles his efforts to quit smoking for Stoptober in a daily diary.

Two weeks. A fortnight. Fourteen days. And not a single smoke.

It's hard to believe I've made it this far. But I have. And I'd like to say, again, that you've all helped me along the way. You've given me plenty of encouragement.

The comments I've received have overwhelmingly been well-meaning. But sometimes - and I don't want to offend anyone here, because I really do appreciate your kind words - the comments misfire.

Read yesterday's entry here.

I'm sure every quitter has experienced it - the well-intended comment that actually makes you want to reach for the nearest cigarette. So here - tongue firmly in cheek - is what not to say to a quitter:

So how's the quitting going? Fine, thanks. I wasn't even thinking about smoking until you brought it up. But come to think of it, yeah, I do feel like a cigarette. And it's really, really hard not to smoke. So yeah, thanks again, buddy.

Why are you quitting like that? I quit like this, and it was way better. Glad that worked out for you. So, how about I just keep doing what I'm doing? Because it's working fine for me so far.

Do you want a cigarette? Of course I do. I'm addicted to smoking. That's why it's so bloody hard to quit. Seriously, why would you even offer me a smoke? That's just mean.

Quitting smoking was the hardest thing I ever did. Thanks for the encouragement. It doesn't make me feel at all dejected.

I quit decades ago, and even now I still feel like a cigarette. Again, thanks for the encouragement. The last two weeks have been pretty hard, so it's good to know the next two decades will be pretty hard, too.

Smoking is disgusting. Why did you even start? Um, thanks? I really don't know what to say to that...

So what should you say to a quitter? That's really up to you. If it's well-intended, you can say whatever you like. And on that note, here's a few words for those also taking part in Stoptober - well done. You've made it two weeks. Really, it's an awesome effort.

Now let's all keep it up. For good.

To take part in Stoptober, visit www.stoptober.nz

For help quitting, visit Quitline at www.quit.org.nz or phone 0800 778 778