REPLACING a cigarette with a second helping of food or turning smoking breaks into nibbling sessions is the fear of Lynn PIlling.

The 49-year-old, who recently gave up her 10 to 20-a-day habit after a 20-year battle with the weed, said: "I was more worried that when I gave up I would reach for a dessert after a meal instead of a cigarette."

Mother-of-two Lynn of Outwood Drive, Burnley, started smoking at 16 when cigarettes took the place of alcohol at dance halls and everybody considered it cool and relatively harmless.

Over the years, she noticed a trend towards anti-smoking and found she was suddenly being barred from smoking in public places such as restaurants and work places.

She tried to give up, but smoking helped her unwind. She also enjoyed a cigarette with a drink on social occasions.

Lynn, who believes females smoke more than males because of the stress of juggling motherhood and a career, said: "Smoking was a pick-me-up tonic but it made me angry that I was dependant on cigarettes and that I couldn't kick the habit.

"I hated the nicotine stains on my teeth, my hair smelling of smoke and phrases such as 'it's like kissing an ashtray'."

As a catering assistant with Burnley Health Care Trust, she is aware of the damaging effects of cigarettes but, like many smokers, has dismissed them with an 'it will never happen to me'. Lynn, whose husband David has beat the weed, has vowed to send her habit packing simply because she thinks they cost a packet. She has not smoked since New Year's Eve.

She said: "I do miss it terribly but it is money just burning away. I got patches from the health authority and they helped the craving over the first three weeks.

"I am determined to do it. My message to others is just don't start. Once you get on the bandwagon it is so difficult to get off."

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