Reporter Mike Ribbeck continues his diaries on giving up smoking

ONE of the first questions you get asked about quitting the weed is: "Have you put on any weight?"

In the image conscious 21st Century, appearance is even more important than ever before. And one of the reasons most smokers think twice before deciding to quit is the fear of piling on the pounds.

One of the main reasons my wife doesn't want to stop is the terror of seeing those bathroom scales creeping up.

Everyone tells you that smoking dulls the taste-buds and that is why most super-models seem to exist on a diet of cigarettes and white wine spritzers. As I have always had a sweet tooth, I can honestly say the number of chocolates and sweets doesn't seem to have increased dramatically.

Natasha Richardson has written to say she stopped smoking on New Year's Day and to offer me a few words of encouragement.

Others include Joanne Dixon from Accrington, Paul Roberts from Darwen, Andrea Curran from Accrington, LET reporter Andrea Muldoon of Darwen, N Thompson and M Wiggans of Blackburn, Mr Billington of Accrington, Deborah Heyes, Jane Billington and Allison McIntyre.

Remember, if you want to see your pledge to quit in print write to Michael Ribbeck at the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Newspaper House, High Street, Blackburn, BB1 1HT. You can e-mail him at 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.