Funny really, but I started smoking when I was about 18 – in 1980.

I used to go for long rides on my Lambretta with about 20 other members of the South Wales Scooter Club.

Well, when I say long rides, I mean they used to take ages as everyone broke down. While we waited for the Lambrettas to be fixed we used to smoke. And why not? We were young, full of ideas. We were going to rule the whole world. I recently restored a Lambretta and have just got it back on the road. I don’t rule the whole world . I don’t even rule my own world. I am, or was, ruled by cigarettes and the idea that I’m still a rebel.

The first thing I think of when I get up is smoking. The last thing at night I think of is smoking.

I smoke before meals, after meals, sometimes even during meals and have stopped going out with my wife because I can’t smoke in pubs or restaurants.

I saw my father drop dead at 62 and my brother-in-law in his coffin at 45. Both heart attacks.

Both life-long smokers.

It has been three days so far and it feels pretty grim, but in the short to medium-term I know it will get better.

That I will be able to enjoy life free from the fear and dread of ‘not’ smoking.