WEEK TWO IMPRESSIONS

Name: Frieda Bush.

Age: 43.

Smoking history: Smoked since 18. Quit multiple times.

Method: The Free & Clear program, which combines nicotine fading and group support. Also using Zyban.

Earlier this week, the Zyban kicked in. I was cheerful, didn't eat as much and didn't want to smoke as much. By Saturday, I was down to half a pack a day of a brand with just one milligram of nicotine in each cigarette. No problem, I thought. Smoking this way is more of an annoyance than it's worth.

Saturday night: I smoked my last cigarette. No fanfare, no ceremony, just a couple little puffs on the back porch of my house.

Sunday morning: I knew I was in withdrawal. No morning cigarette, no cigarette after breakfast, and my daughter and grandsons were going to spend the day at home. A 1,000-square-foot house gets tiny in a hurry when you're crabby, have heartburn and a headache. I took a nap, drank lots of water and cleaned my house. Unlike Amy, I haven't got my taxes done, but my house is more organized than it's been since I moved in. My daughter was patient and offered to go get cigarettes only once. I held firm.

Monday: I know that the withdrawal symptoms will peak today. That's become my mantra. I have a pile of oranges, donated by Jim, and bottles of water to drink. I still have heartburn and a headache, and I am frequently aware of the urge to smoke. It's an itch that only a cigarette can scratch. The withdrawal symptoms will peak today. The withdrawal symptoms will peak today.

Name: Jim Carlile.

Age: 24.

Smoking history: Smoked since 14. Quit twice.

Method: Hypnosis.

Day 6: Still no cigarettes. Spent a weekend in Portland, and a few times I almost asked Frieda for one but didn't. I don't really want one right now. I just wish they didn't exist.

I don't feel sick anymore for lack of nicotine. Withdrawal-wise, I think I got off easy.

Day 7: Last night I saw that Amy and I left the ashtray and matches on the table on our porch. Seeing them didn't bother me at all, and it didn't make me want to smoke. I went to a bar last night (albeit a nonsmoking bar) and drank -- was not bothered by my lack of smoking. Smoking feels like something I did a long time ago.

Day 9: Amy and I went to a smoky bar last night with Ross, Pat and Sarah. Cigarettes all around except for us, and it was fine. I couldn't wait to get home to get out of my smoky clothes.

I miss smoking but I don't want to smoke.

I'm still doing fine.

Day 13: I'm sure every smoker who is in the process of quitting says the same thing, but I couldn't have picked a worse time to quit.

Day 16: I still go outside with the people I used to smoke with, but that is almost the easiest time of the day -- maybe it's because I'm standing and away from my desk. Maybe the cigarettes had nothing to do with easing the stress of work.

Name: Amy Uptmor.

Age: 26.

Smoking history: Smoked since 21. Quit once.

Method: Nicotine patch combined with Zyban.

Monday: I got up and exercised. I ate a healthy breakfast and made preparations for dinner (also healthy). I got my finances in order and cleaned my kitchen. I have so much energy, and I feel so good. This is quite a change for me. Today is the first day during which I did not think about cigarettes.

Tuesday: I forgot to put a nicotine patch on and I felt fine, but I put one on anyway. I don't want to make this harder than it already is. Soon I will take a break from work to walk around the block instead of going outside to smoke. I feel great.

This whole week has made quitting smoking seem very easy. I know that that's in part because I keep myself busy with things to do other than smoke (my house is immaculate, my taxes already done, and my dog is getting more walks than he knows what to do with). I wonder how long it will last.

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