We're free at last, say two Westmeath ex-smokers

You know the feeling: you've just made a coffee and you think, 'I'll have a cigarette'. Or you've just had dinner, and you think, 'I'll have a cigarette now'. Or you've just woken up and, well, it's time for a cigarette.But it is possible to get out of that cycle, as two former smokers from Westmeath have attested this week, a year on from their decision to quit smoking.Bernie Ganley and Martin Slevin from Moate chose Ash Wednesday last year as the date on which they would give up smoking, and with the support of the HSE, they've both kept off the cigarettes since."This is one of the best decisions I made in the last 30 years," said Martin, "I am glad to be free of this slavery."Bernie added: "I'd tried many times to give up smoking, stopping and starting again and never getting anywhere. Then last year I was diagnosed with Congestive Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. So I thought I'd better get serious about it."She admits that took a little while, because she was inclined to focus on previous failed attempts."Then my counsellor mentioned to me about New Beginnings, New Year and New Hope and this was a fresh start. Those words struck with me about New Beginnings."Bernie, a mature student, had started smoking at 14, and had notched up a 37-year smoking career before realising she had to succeed at stopping."I found it hard primarily, that the decision wasn't mine any more - it was something that had to be done," she admits.Having a counsellor has been a real help, Bernie added: "The counsellor has been brilliant, and has been there for me through each step of the journey."Martin (47) had been smoking since he was 17: "They had complete control of me. I felt I was being chained to them and the chain was never going to break," he recalls.The words of the Queen song I Want To Break Free kept rattling around his mind, and he decided to do that!His success has come as a surprise to his friends: "Two mates in particular said I would never do it - they can't believe it!"Those friends should take note as Martin is now fired with a determination that he will not smoke again.The counsellor helped Martin break the association between actions, times, or locations and cigarettes.