DAY one of my big quit is over - and even though it's early days it's definitely so far, so good.

Because this is the attempt where I am definitely going to succeed, I decided to get help and paid a visit to Bolton's Stop Smoking Services.

After having my levels of carbon monoxide measured on the 'smokalyser', I was more determined than ever.

The result, 36 parts per million, means my body is having to work six times harder than the average non-smoker just to carry out every day tasks like walking up the stairs. Armed with my nicotine patches and lozenges, I smoked my last cigarette at 11.59pm on Sunday night, before ceremoniously binning my ashtray and lighters.

I admit I felt a twinge of doubt.

Will I be able to stub it out for good?

Will I physically maim someone who mildly annoys me because of my withdrawal? And will I ever stop missing the fags? Following the advice of Joanne, my quit smoking advisor, I changed my morning routine, and even drove a different way to work, so I wouldn't associate anything with smoking.

Surprisingly, there were just three moments of weakness when I felt like throwing in the towel. I just kept thinking of all the cash I was saving, more than £5 in one day, and the fact this feeling of agitation and twitchiness wouldn't last forever, despite the fact it felt like it would at times.

Roll on day two!