quitters

Phil has been smoking for 18 years and currently has around 15 to 20 cigarettes a day. He quit for six months when he was around fourteen. A few years ago he tried patches, which were working well for a few days until he stopped using them and started smoking again. In his spare time, Phil likes to chill out with mates, tend to his houseplants, listen to music, shop for clothes and spend plenty of time on Facebook!! In ten years, he would like to be smoke free and living near his father in Spain.

Phil in three words - Bubbly, Sarcastic and Optimistic.

Rachel has been smoking for 8 years. She started at a young age because she wanted to look cool in front of her mates. She now wants to quit because it's expensive, she's very unfit and her teeth aren't quite as white as they used to be. Rachel is an aspiring actress and hopes to grace the big screen one day! Her favourite place in Europe is Greece, and the coolest thing she's done in her life is canoe for two days through France.

Rachel in three words – Independent, Strong willed and Happy.

Kalle will be using the alternative method of Hypnotherapy to help him quit smoking, which he took up when he was only 13. He's on 20 a day, but is determined to stop for health reasons.Kalle's favourite place in Europe is the space in his kitchen where the fridge is located! If he was forced to live on a desert island and could only bring three things, he would take all his friends in a box (he has very small mates), a harmonica, and his red coveralls!

Kalle in three words – Positive, Open-Minded and Caring.

Siv has been smoking for 11 years. On average, she smokes 25 to 30 cigarettes a day. She's only tried to quit once - when she was away at boarding school, but it lasted for just one day. If she manages to kick the habit, Siv is looking forward to having more energy, nicer skin, more money and hopefully a long and healthy life. In ten years, she would like to own her own business; perhaps a bar with live music.

Siv in three words - Social, Strong and Awesome.

Anne has been smoking for around six years. On average, she gets through about five cigarettes per day. Having never tried to quit before, we're hoping that Nicotine Replacement Therapy in the form of inhalators will help her kick the habit. If successful in stopping, Anne is looking forward to the prospect of being able to cycle uphill without getting totally exhausted! The money she'll save by going smoke free will also mean Anne can buy a new bike that's easier to cycle!

Anne in three words – Colourful, Proactive and Real.

Jan will be attempting to quit using a variety of methods, starting by simply cutting down. He started smoking when he was 13 due to peer pressure. The number of cigarettes Jan smokes depends on the day and situation, but it can be anything from 5/day to 25/day.Jan has tried to quit loads of times before. He managed to stop for three years when he was 24, but always seems to start up again. Becoming healthier, more energised and a bit richer are his reasons for wanting to quit.

Jan in three words - Curious, Positive and Social

Marta from Barcelona is our heaviest smoker – she's on at least 40 a day. She started at the age of 12 out of curiosity and liked it from the start… even the first one. She's tried to quit many times before, but with no success at all - after stopping for just one hour she goes crazy! In ten years, Marta hopes to be somewhere far away from the city with her van, living a hippie lifestyle alongside someone she loves in a quiet place. Her mum and best friend Albert are Marta's idols.

Marta in three words - Imaginative, Active and Curious.

Jerry has been smoking for around 13 years. Why did he start? He thought it was cool.... He smokes about 15 cigarettes every day on average and has tried quitting a few times; he's even tried self-help books! Having realised that smoking isn't cool – it's both smelly and expensive, Jerry thinks he'll be a whole lot happier if he manages to quit. He loves to travel and his favourite place in Europe is Dublin. Unlike smoking, he says he'd never be able to quit travelling and plans to use the money he'll no longer be burning to help social causes.

Jerry in three words – Laughs, Love...and Nicotine!

Fanni is our youngest participant. She first tried smoking three years ago at a Hungarian music festival and has been hooked ever since. Her motivations to quit – health, cost and because she gets anxious when she's in areas where she's not allowed to smoke. Fanni will be using nicotine replacement patches to help stop. Ten years from now, Fanni hopes to be travelling around the world and organising the coolest concerts ever! Her favourite European cities are Amsterdam, London and Paris. And one of her idols is Chuck Norris!

Fanni in three words - Crazy, Obsessed and Charitable

Marton is a social smoker who started about five years ago. He's not really tried to quit before. But he thinks giving up is all about will power! So with the help of our e-coaching method, we're challenging him to use just that. The hardest thing he's done in his life is a modern pentathlon, which took a lot of training. According to Marton, the coolest thing he's ever done is get on stage with the band at a Green Day concert!

Marton is using a special programme on the EU's Help website called e-coaching to stop smoking. This programme provides advice and personalized information via email to people wanting to give up cigarettes.

Marton in three words –Explorer, Twins and Caring.