Which of the many stop smoking methods available is most effective? To find out, we've recruited a five guinea pigs from the BBC hutch. Over the next few weeks, our volunteers will chart their progress on these pages.

Graphic designer Jesse Brown is trying sheer willpower (and carrot sticks).

"So far so good! I have so far given up cigarettes for 288 hours. I now stand to make �100 and a bottle of wine if I keep going until August.

"I went to a party on Saturday where the smokers were banished to the kitchen. Normally this would have inspired in me some serious indignation, but I was actually quite relieved. I did go in several times for a gasp of secondary smoke though.

"The first week hasn't been too hard, but the novelty is wearing off and the boredom of giving up is setting in. I have to keep telling myself it's worth it, and the benefits outweigh the angst and frustration. It's time to face reality and say goodbye to that golden age of smoking."

Ulyssa MacMillan has opted for acupuncture treatment at Neal's Yard Remedies.

"I was a little late for my appointment last Friday, and had two fags in quick succession on the way - so when I arrived, I was out of breath and gasping. My acupuncturist was Si Tu Xing Chang, who sat me down, took my pulse and examined my tongue.

"She then explained how acupuncture can help: it relaxes you, and the needles connect directly with organs used for smoking - lungs, brain, stomach and mouth. Oh, and the large intestine (go figure).

"She then stuck four needles in my left ear, and one in each hand and foot. It was an odd sensation, but certainly relaxing. My hands went numb, which was slightly alarming, but I was too relaxed to care.

"Then she taped four tiny seeds into my right ear, which I'm to press when I have a craving. My ear is the size of a balloon, and I am suffering the wit (or lack thereof) of my colleagues. But I've managed to resist - bar a few puffs on my boyfriend's fags in Barcelona, and three when tipsy - and nothing has sprouted as yet. I'm quite impressed so far."

Stephen Fottrell is using Allen Carr's book, Easy Way to Stop Smoking.

"Having succumbed to the odd fag over the weekend, I was riddled with guilt this morning when a colleague said his money was on me. But Allen Carr tells me to keep smoking while reading his book. He guarantees that by the time I finish, I'll never want another cigarette again.

"After a strained start to our working relationship, Allen and I have discovered some sort of middle ground. I keep turning pages, hoping he'll stop going on about how great he and his method are - and he finally seems to be listening.

"The one big hurdle I have to get over is the ceremonial clear-out of all the paraphernalia - the emergency fags, the lighters, the matches. There's a carton sitting in my room eyeing me up. It'll have to go, but it will be emotional.

"Physically I feel far better after almost a week without cigs. Getting up in the morning is much easier, and generally there's a great sense of achievement. For all my misgivings about Allen, I know I'd be unable to do this without help."

Sarah Brown has signed up for the NHS's e-mail counselling.

"The NHS e-mail motivator has had computer gremlins, so in nicotine-deprived desperation, I've turned to the national non-smoking charity Quit, which provides a similar service.

"I wrote expressing fears that once I went to the pub, I'd falter. The reply congratulated me on my decision to quit, and advised me to enlist the support of my friends (have they met my friends?) in my quest.

"It suggested cutting down on alcohol for a while, and even advised holding my drink in my cigarette hand if needs must. I did well on Friday, but at a party on Saturday I had one too many mojitos, was offered a cigarette by one of the aforesaid "friends", and was soon smoking like the proverbial chimney.

"The next day, chastened by a hangover, I doused the pack in water, and vowed to keep going. Oh, and to kill my friends."

John Brunsdon is giving patches a go.

"An inauspicious start. My first day of quitting coincided with a night shift. By the time I'd woken up, the local chemist - where I'd intended to buy patches - was closed. Unfortunately, the shop next door which sold ciggies was open. Cigarettes 1, willpower 0.

"Day two and the experiment began properly - patch in place. I've tried these before and stopped smoking temporarily, but more by aversion therapy than nicotine replacement.

"I can happily go days at a time without a cigarette, but in certain situations I just feel I have to smoke, particularly out drinking. But I know from bitter experience that if I am wearing a patch and then smoke, I feel as sick as a dog the next day. That's (usually) enough to stop me. I'll be putting that to the test tonight when I go out with a friend who's an enthusiastic drinker.

"Since my first day blip, I've not touched a cigarette, or even wanted one, so fingers crossed for tonight when the power of the patches will really be tested. And at least if I'm crossing my fingers, I won't be able to hold a cigarette."

Any tips on how to resist smoking when in pubs and parties? Add your comments on this story, using the form below.

Keep nicotine gum with you at all times, and chew it whenever you get the urge to smoke.
Lisa, UK

When I really fancied a fag, I'd borrow of a friend and inhale through the unlit cigarette. You have to gently squeeze the filter so you get the same drag effect you get when it's lit. Simply inhaling and exhaling the way you normally smoke will make the craving go away.
David Hodge, Norn Iron

I keep my favourite perfume or a really fresh smelling body spray in my handbag. When I get a craving for a stinky ciggie, I'll have a spray to remind myself how much better I smell by not smoking.
Sarah, Cardiff

Keep a jar with some fag ends and water in it in your room. Before you go out to the pub, open it up and have a sniff.
Matt Naylor, UK

When I gave up smoking (20 years ago), I was heavily into playing darts in my pub team. Whenever I was offered or felt like a cigarette, I said "I won't have one now; I'll have one later" but never did. After a week, it became easier to resist, until I didn't want one at all.
Dave, UK

Tell people you know will be at the party/pub that if they catch you smoking, you will give them �30 on the spot.
Melanie, Italy

Smokers who aren't ready to give up yet will want you to fail, so they don't feel so bad about smoking. This can apply regardless of how much they care about you. Avoid them for a while, or meet on smoke-free territory such as the cinema.
Catherine O, UK

Avoid sessions in the pub, but go just for a couple of drinks so that your willpower won't completely disappear.
Andy Harris, England

So you don't feel deprived by avoiding the pub, meet up with friends at someone's house who doesn't allow smoking inside. You feel like you're missing out much less when the few sad smokers are huddled outside in the cold, whilst you enjoy your drink in the warm, smoke-free atmosphere.
Susie, London

By switching from lager to Guinness, I didn't associate the drink with the desire to smoke. Try to drink something you don't usually go for, since this will help to break habits.
Mark Powell, UK

A quick message to Sarah Brown to say 'thanks' for those touching comments about her friends and to stress she has the FULL support of her non-smoking friends (ie me). As an extra bribe, dinner's on me at my favourite (rather expensive) NON-SMOKING restaurant if she can stay the course.
Jules H, UK

Jules, what's the non-smoking restaurant to which you refer? My boyfriend (a heavy smoker for 15 years now) has just given up and to treat him to a nice meal in a non-smoking environment as a reward would be a grand idea.
Kirsten, England

Whenever I'm tempted, I have a lolly instead. You sometimes get strange looks in the pub though.
Neil, England

I'm having fun spending my �9 a day fag money on cinema trips (good no smoking venues) and Bombay Sapphire gin - which also keeps me out of the pub.
Phil Jones, UK

Pubs were the hardest as alcohol + environment = cigarette. So I switched to juice and other soft drinks for a few weeks. The chemical reaction that drives one to smoke when drinking will diminish, and the ex-smoker will grow in confidence in a relatively short period of time.
James E Barnett, England

This is not about parties, but fag breaks at work. If you miss the gossiping and break from your desk, have an apple break instead. Eating an apple takes the same amount of time as smoking a cigarette. It gives you something to do with your hand, so you don't feel daft just standing there, and the taste helps remove some of the cravings.
Mark Sydenham, Scotland

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