‘Success is when two’s company’
JOURNALIST Simon Cable, 36, managed to ditch cigarettes – with a little help from twin brother Chris and Hold My Light.
After several failed attempts to go smoke-free, normally reaching for a cigarette within a few days, Simon signed up to the campaign in a bid to overcome his habit once and for all.
His biggest stumbling block had always been when he was having a few drinks out with Chris and their mates.
But after they signed up to the 30-day challenge together, the pair pledged to support one another through those tricky moments.
As an incentive to encourage each other, Simon offered to buy Chris a football ticket and Chris offered to shout his brother a fancy dinner if they completed the challenge.
“Having that constant support really was the key,” says Simon. “Just having Chris by my side when we were in the pub and announcing together to our pals we weren’t smoking was a massive help.
“It helped us both overcome situations that we would have normally found quite tricky.
“The fun element that each of us was determined not to be beaten by the other was also a great incentive too.
“And the further along the journey we got, the easier I found it. Once I knew I could go out and not have a cigarette, it wasn’t so hard.”
The twins’ dad Mike, an ex 30-a-day smoker, is delighted his sons took up the challenge of Hold My Light.
He says: “They had both tried and failed in the past, but knowing how competitive they are, this was obviously just the motivation they needed.”
Mike, who quit smoking in January 1977, wants to reassure those at the start of their journey that if they can get through those initial 30 days, the cravings are greatly reduced.
He says: “I quit after my wife set me a challenge straight after I returned from a business trip.
“Even though I’d brought home a duty-free carton of 200 of my preferred brand, I gave them all away and haven’t touched a cigarette since.” * nhs digital, 2018