Stoptober - Diary of a Quitter: Day 3

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.

My second day as a non-smoker was much, much easier - I only thought about cigarettes every two minutes, rather than constantly. That's progress, I guess.

But the best part was knowing I had leaped over the psychological hurdle of the first 24 hours without smoking. Now it seems much more possible.

My next step is to tackle all the ritualistic aspects of smoking that are still ingrained in me.

Read yesterday's entry here.

Quitline recommends getting to know the habits and emotions that spark cravings. Once you understand your triggers, you can work out how to get around them, apparently. I've detailed some of my triggers here.

Being awake: It's easier not to smoke when you're asleep. I'll try not to wake up this month.

Stress: This is probably my single biggest trigger, so it's lucky that most of my time is devoted to leisurely, stress-free activities - like raising a toddler, commuting in Auckland, and a fast-paced career in breaking news. Thankfully, my doctor recently doubled my dosage of anxiety meds. Champ.

Alcohol: Drinking and smoking are a match like no other. I simply can't have a drink without lighting up. No drinking for me this month, then.

Coffee: Next to alcohol, there's no greater combo than coffee and cigarettes. But I don't think I can survive without coffee - there's probably more caffeine in my veins than blood. I guess I'll have to put up with the cravings.

But not to worry - Quitline's advice for warding off cravings includes drinking a glass of water. Sounds fun.

Smokers: Filthy, filthy scum. Their second-hand smoke is disgusting. Disgustingly alluring. I want a cigarette.

Non-smokers: People who don't smoke - especially sanctimonious, self-righteous ex-smokers - give me such low self-esteem that all I want to do is to smoke a cigarette. Maybe I'll just have to avoid people.

Movies: Too many smoking scenes. Especially if you're a fan of film noir, where everyone is smoking, constantly. Guess I'll have to read more.

Books: Books are made of paper. Paper reminds me of cigarette papers. Cigarette papers remind me of cigarettes. Cigarettes make me want to smoke. Wait, where was I up to on the page?

Meals: Food is a great distraction because it keeps your hands and mouth busy. But since I always used to smoke after a big meal, it's only a temporary distraction. It's good, then, that my appetite has ballooned since I quit. I just ate a whole cheese. And a sandwich. And some crackers. And I'm still hungry.

So, pretty much the whole world is a trigger. I don't know how anyone does this without patches, or something else - like vapes, or hypnotherapy, or self-isolation, or stabbing yourself in the eyeballs.

Thank sweet misery for patches.

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

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