Mike Ribbeck's diariy on quitting cigarettes

ALTHOUGH I have not noticed any dramatic improvements in my energy levels, there has been a definite upside to packing in the cigarettes.

A 20-a-day habit does have an effect on your health in more ways than one. Everybody knows about the serious problems like lung cancer and heart disease, but there are also the constant niggles.

Every winter seems to be filled with a steady stream of colds, sore throats and coughs. I don't know whether it is psychological, but this time around the cold weather doesn't seem to have sparked off the usual problems.

Here's looking forward to a trouble-free winter and a healthy spring and summer.

People who have announced they have quit include Natasha Richardson, Joanne Dixon from Accrington, Paul Roberts from Darwen, Andrea Curran from Accrington, Andrea Muldoon, N Thompson and M Wiggans of Blackburn, Mr Billington from Accrington, Deborah Heyes, Jane Billington and Allison McIntyre.

Anyone who wants to make a pledge to quit should write to Michael Ribbeck, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Newspaper House, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT. Send e-mails to mribbeck@lancashire.newsquest.co.uk.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.