There’s still time...
to make that good resolution for 2006. If you’re a smoker there’s no doubt as to what it should be: stop!

Think about the arguments in favour:

- First, medical. As Ireland’s David Byrne, until recently the European Union’s health commissioner put it, smoking is “the biggest single cause of preventable health problems in the EU”. These include a wide range of ailments from bronchitis to high blood pressure, from cervical cancer to premature ageing of the skin. I mention these last two because women are now clearly more obdurate in their addiction than men.

- Second, financial. Smoking has become notably more expensive in France, even if less so than in the UK but if you really think about it’s a terrible waste of money. Here’s one figure that impressed me recently: according to the British arm of Prudential Assurance an average lifetime UK smoker spends about £65,000. Think what that could bring in if wisely invested. And even your weekly outlay on tobacco could buy something more interesting.

- Finally, social. Put bluntly, smokers stink. Even in his last illness-plagued years Prince Rainier of Monaco was puffing his way through at least two packets a day. Visitors sometimes came away complaining that his breath reeked of tobacco.

So think about it. Of course, there are many ways to wage war on the weed, from patches to prayer. I’ve heard very good reports of Allen Carr’s Easyway to stop smoking. It’s not infallible – no method is – but a lot of people have had a good result. Call Elaine Mahon about it.

Allen Carr (Quit smoking) 04 93 47 35 71 / www.easywayinfrance.com

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