On day 7 in my third serious attempt to quit smoking. After my first two serious attempts failed, I sought help from the NHS, and they've given me a vape, an app that checks on me daily, and an adviser who checks on me weekly. I'm overeating, and drinking copious amounts of coffee and alcohol to compensate: my mood is highly deregulated, and any thoughts of getting any useful work done are a joke. I will excuse myself for turning into a degenerate for now, but touching another cigarette is just not an option. Ever again.

My case is an especially good illustration of the fact that smoking was never about nicotine: there's decades of romantic story-telling, self-deception, and memories behind the activity of smoking that smokers need to conquer to quit. The vape barely does anything for me, and I only use it because the NHS insists that I use it regularly for three months following the quit date to minimize chances of relapse.

One thing that definitely helps is being open about the struggle with your employer. Good workplaces will be supportive, and you will be on pseudo-sick-leave.