Originally posted by mookaloid
I think you very much need proper legal advice on this.
Citizens advice bureau to start with.
Called cab, but it was closed on a Friday, will get on to them first thing Monday!
And go and see a doctor!
Was admitted to hospital last year after breaking 3 ribs due to coughing! Hospital Dr mentioned COPD (emphysema) my gp said I'm 30-40 years too young for that!
Think I'll be back there next week now this has come to light, only got the call confirming the positive test!
Thanks
Aaron
Wadders - 10/5/13 at 04:08 PM
From my very limited knowledge of asbestosis/mesothelioma (my paternal grandfather had it) you have to be exposed to the dust for quite some time, and
the illness/symptoms develop years later.
Think my grandad was 80 when he died, so hopefully wouldn't be overly worried if i was you, although as said a visit to the docs
might be in order.
Al.
PAUL FISHER - 10/5/13 at 04:18 PM
Yes your looking at problems in 25 years down the line with asbestos, I would be more bothered about your kids being exposed to it, I would say seek
the best expert advice on your situation, then medical and legal advice after that if required
[Edited on 19/05/04 by PAUL FISHER]
big-vee-twin - 10/5/13 at 04:28 PM
If asbestos is sealed behind finishes I think that's ok so long as there is an asbestos register for the building.
A law came out around 5 years ago which put this in place.
Buildings are allowed to have asbestos but it has to be recorded in the register.
So your claim may go down the route of no register - but not sure if this is applicable to Domestic property.
You could have a chat over the phone with a building surveyor they will know the rules inside out.
Aaron_n_Sim - 10/5/13 at 04:33 PM
Thanks for the advice guys, going to cab Monday, not worried about myself it's my wife & especially the kids
Thanks
Aaron
renetom - 10/5/13 at 05:04 PM
Hi
I have COPD which I have only myself to blame having smoked all my life.
Have worked in a boatyard lining out engine compartments with asbestos sheets
drilled it , cut it, ground it, Then worked in garages filing brake shoes , blowing out the dust from brake drums
Did not know anything about asbestos in those days.
If its gona get you it will but there again it may not, I have known guys who have worked with asbestos for many years
in the past & are fine now & in their seventies, yet a friend died of asbestosis & like me worked in a shipyard for only 3 weeks &
that was the only time he came into contact with the stuff.
Dont let these health & safety mongers frighten you
If you are talking about the amount of asbestos in Artex, yes there is , but it is a minuscule amount
But by all means get you & yours checked out.
Good luck.
clanger - 10/5/13 at 05:14 PM
worked in the power industry for a few years, old power stations are riddled with the stuff, was I exposed..............who knows? probably.
you need to get it on record somewhere of your potential exposure for any future health related claims etc.
the doc will probably not be able to find out from a basic examination, but you'll need to get that chest checked out anyway, because as others
have said it takes years if or when it develops.
don't worry yourself too much about it............as they can't do anything about it !!!! What's done is done...
Aaron_n_Sim - 10/5/13 at 05:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by renetom
Hi
I have COPD which I have only myself to blame having smoked all my life.
Have worked in a boatyard lining out engine compartments with asbestos sheets
drilled it , cut it, ground it, Then worked in garages filing brake shoes , blowing out the dust from brake drums
Did not know anything about asbestos in those days.
If its gona get you it will but there again it may not, I have known guys who have worked with asbestos for many years
in the past & are fine now & in their seventies, yet a friend died of asbestosis & like me worked in a shipyard for only 3 weeks & that was the only time he came into contact with the stuff.
Dont let these health & safety mongers frighten you
If you are talking about the amount of asbestos in Artex, yes there is , but it is a minuscule amount
But by all means get you & yours checked out.
Good luck.
I personally think I'm more than likely going to be diagnosed with COPD, 80 a day since I was 15 (20 yrs now)! only got the asbestos report back today and its not something I really know much about it, unfortunately the local council are in our local paper this week for exposing a young couple and their baby to it so its heightened awareness, Just the kids I worry about, and the wife, she's not insured
Thanks for the reassurance!
Aaron
pewe - 10/5/13 at 05:38 PM
Tough one that but sound advice all round.
Lots of links if you google asbestos.
Can I just set a few minds at rest over the Brake dust issue someone raised above.
I spent some of my teens blowing out brake drums as well.
A few years ago I spoke to the Asbestos Advisory Panel - think it may have been these guys linky
Evidently the heat generated in a brake drum changes the chemical composition of the asbestos rendering it harmless.
Trust you can resolve the situation satisfactorily.
ATB, Pewe10 
Aaron_n_Sim - 10/5/13 at 05:41 PM
Again thanks for all the advice, all very similar & very sound advice!
Thanks
Aaron
deezee - 10/5/13 at 07:49 PM
I work as a furnace engineer as my day job. So I come across this pretty regularly in older plants, buildings and boilers.
First off type 1 asbestos in all your walls and ceilings means nothing. Type 1 isn't an asbestos type and probably refers to a type of survey
the inspector done which means he looked at it and took a guess based on records Please be aware there is no bad / worse asbestos, its all
terrible.
Secondly, sadly, there is nothing that can be done regarding exposure or diagnosis until late stages. An X-Ray will simply show you have lung
problems and not the cause (until an autopsy is performed).
Thirdly brake heat will not destroy asbestos, not even close. You need around 950+ degrees C to convert it into a glassy phase. This is why they
used asbestos because it resists temperature so very well.
Ok, so what you'll need is written confirmation of you're exposure, naming yourself and more importantly you're family. You need to
get this from the housing association. Don't be surprised if the letter says "Potential" or "Suspected" in the wording.
After all they can't Prove it until it kills you (sorry to be so grimm)
Don't accept any money or settlement now, doing so will undermine a case against them if it causes a fatality in later life, as you have already
accepted compensation now.
Aaron_n_Sim - 10/5/13 at 08:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by deezee
I work as a furnace engineer as my day job. So I come across this pretty regularly in older plants, buildings and boilers.
First off type 1 asbestos in all your walls and ceilings means nothing. Type 1 isn't an asbestos type and probably refers to a type of survey the inspector done which means he looked at it and took a guess based on records
Secondly, sadly, there is nothing that can be done regarding exposure or diagnosis until late stages. An X-Ray will simply show you have lung problems and not the cause (until an autopsy is performed).
Thirdly brake heat will not destroy asbestos, not even close. You need around 950+ degrees C to convert it into a glassy phase. This is why they used asbestos because it resists temperature so very well.
Ok, so what you'll need is written confirmation of you're exposure, naming yourself and more importantly you're family. You need to get this from the housing association. Don't be surprised if the letter says "Potential" or "Suspected" in the wording. After all they can't Prove it until it kills you (sorry to be so grimm)
Don't accept any money or settlement now, doing so will undermine a case against them if it causes a fatality in later life, as you have already accepted compensation now.
Hi Deezee,
Thanks for the advice
The HA sent an independent asbestos surveyor in who came in suited like someone from E.T. and took samples, should I attempt to get a copy of there report! We are the second case in the area this week, the other case made the papers, but they accepted they were at fault and that the family had been exposed. Is it worth taking this to the paper too so it can't be swept under he carpet?
Thanks again
Aaron
MikeRJ - 10/5/13 at 10:07 PM
I should think the amount of asbestos released from Artex is going to be pretty insignificant compared to the damage done by 80 cigarettes a day for
20 years.
Bloody hell, just worked that out, it's over half a million cigarettes. Even with low tar cigs, that's nearly 6 kg of tar.
[Edited on 10/5/13 by MikeRJ]
ashg - 10/5/13 at 10:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron_n_Sim
quote:
Originally posted by renetom
Hi
I have COPD which I have only myself to blame having smoked all my life.
Have worked in a boatyard lining out engine compartments with asbestos sheets
drilled it , cut it, ground it, Then worked in garages filing brake shoes , blowing out the dust from brake drums
Did not know anything about asbestos in those days.
If its gona get you it will but there again it may not, I have known guys who have worked with asbestos for many years
in the past & are fine now & in their seventies, yet a friend died of asbestosis & like me worked in a shipyard for only 3 weeks & that was the only time he came into contact with the stuff.
Dont let these health & safety mongers frighten you
If you are talking about the amount of asbestos in Artex, yes there is , but it is a minuscule amount
But by all means get you & yours checked out.
Good luck.
I personally think I'm more than likely going to be diagnosed with COPD, 80 a day since I was 15 (20 yrs now)! only got the asbestos report back today and its not something I really know much about it, unfortunately the local council are in our local paper this week for exposing a young couple and their baby to it so its heightened awareness, Just the kids I worry about, and the wife, she's not insured
Thanks for the reassurance!
Aaron
come on is it just me.................... i dont want to sound negative but im tired and finding it hard tonight.
i have got a 70's house the ceilings are artexed i dont know if there is asbestos in there or not but you wont find me rubbing it down to find out. its well known that artex in older houses pre 1981 has asbestos in it you don't need a report to know that!
also in artex its safe unless you disturb it, technically you disturbed it so you caused the problem not the council. i used to work for kent county council and all their public buildings had an asbestos register, most of their buildings were riddled with the stuff but it was considered acceptable as it wasn't going to be disturbed. as a tenant technically you shouldn't be rubbing down walls without their permission, any council/housing association contractor would know to check for asbestos on a pre 81 property before commencing work, there are no regulations saying it has to be removed and all recommendations from the health and safety executive always state...... if you don't know if asbestos is present it has to be treated as if there is.
as for your chest problems i would suspect the 80 fags a day for the last 20 years are the major factor. I just hope your not smoking them indoors with the kids around.
personally i think it is somewhat naive to think that its the council/ha's fault your house has asbestos in it, its just what was used in those days. When i purchased my house there was no mention of asbestos in the survey but being a 70's house its just one of those things. I'm pretty sure its in my artexed ceilings but i don't have anyone i can blame or claim off!! if i want it gone then i will have to pay but i know its safe if i just leave it alone.
as others have said report it to the council as they may decide to remove it, but i have to stick with my initial thoughts that you are rather silly to rub artex down. EVERYONE knows its nasty stuff and sorry i have to say it kind of rubs me up the wrong way thinking your going to try to sue the good intentioned people at the housing association who have been kind enough to put a roof over you and your families head. After all they didn't come in and start rubbing the walls down rather than re-plastering to save a few quid... it was YOU!
Sorry if you take offence to my comments above but this is a public forum and sometimes people will say things you don't like to hear, if you have a problem with it don't put your troubles on the internet for people to comment on. I am personally fed-up with the whole infectious blame claim culture plaguing our society
deezee - 10/5/13 at 11:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by
Hi Deezee,
Thanks for the advice
The HA sent an independent asbestos surveyor in who came in suited like someone from E.T. and took samples, should I attempt to get a copy of there report! We are the second case in the area this week, the other case made the papers, but they accepted they were at fault and that the family had been exposed. Is it worth taking this to the paper too so it can't be swept under he carpet?
Thanks again
Aaron
There is nothing to gain going to the paper it wont help. You just need a letter regarding exposure, in case you fall ill. Which might not happen. The crux is that unless you fall ill in 30 years time with asbestos induced mesothelioma its fuss over nothing. I've had mega exposures, I mean tonnes of asbestos smashed up with road breakers, walking the dust into canteen etc. If I fall ill I know who my family can sue. The injured party will almost always be dead before money changes hands. Also as a smoker you'll get a fraction compensation as a non smoker as they'll just say its the cigarettes.
britishtrident - 11/5/13 at 08:50 AM
Exposure to asbestos when combined with smoking is the major health threat.
As regards future claims get details of the liability insurance any party who you are likely to claim against as it is not unknown for such records
to become untraceable.
[Edited on 11/5/13 by britishtrident]
emwmarine - 11/5/13 at 09:15 AM
I worked for Lloyd's of London in the 80's who paid out a lot of money to poor souls who came into contact with asbestos. many were wives
and distant family members who had just handled the cloths of workers who weren't heavily exposed to asbestos.
I wouldn't take any advice from here. I wouldn't even bother with thee CAB.
I would go and see a private solicitor who specialises in Asbestos claims. Find out exactly what documentation you need to collect now to protect your
interests and your family's interests in the future. Your wife and Children may well thank you for doing so many years to come.
Actions you take now may make a huge difference for the future.
Aaron_n_Sim - 11/5/13 at 09:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by emwmarine
I worked for Lloyd's of London in the 80's who paid out a lot of money to poor souls who came into contact with asbestos. many were wives and distant family members who had just handled the cloths of workers who weren't heavily exposed to asbestos.
I wouldn't take any advice from here. I wouldn't even bother with thee CAB.
I would go and see a private solicitor who specialises in Asbestos claims. Find out exactly what documentation you need to collect now to protect your interests and your family's interests in the future. Your wife and Children may well thank you for doing so many years to come.
Actions you take now may make a huge difference for the future.
Thanks for that advice, for me it's not about my health or claiming as that muppet ASHG implied, it's about my kids safety NOW, that said, this was obviously your profession and I will follow up on this advice! If it could help my family in the future I'd be an not too!
Regards
Aaron
adam1985 - 11/5/13 at 10:50 AM
Thanks for that advice, for me it's not about my health or claiming as that muppet ASHG implied, it's about my kids safety NOW,
To be fair in your first post it comes across as your blaming the h/a for the work you have done.
How long ago did you do the work have you contacted the h/a about this or have you contacted anyone who specialises in this area im pretty sure they
would want to do a proper clean up of any contaminated areas and proberbly dispose of most of your belongings in the affected areas.
Aaron_n_Sim - 11/5/13 at 11:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by adam1985
Thanks for that advice, for me it's not about my health or claiming as that muppet ASHG implied, it's about my kids safety NOW,
To be fair in your first post it comes across as your blaming the h/a for the work you have done.
How long ago did you do the work have you contacted the h/a about this or have you contacted anyone who specialises in this area im pretty sure they would want to do a proper clean up of any contaminated areas and proberbly dispose of most of your belongings in the affected areas.
I started doing the work because the walls were a state the artex was cracked, falling off the walls in places, my gripe with ashg was the fact he seems to think that cos he knew about it that everyone else does! Not so! That's why the thread was titled advice please! He also started his post with "I'm tired and finding it hard tonight" he was looking for something to moan about when perhaps he should've gone to bed! My house was artexed by a tenant in the late 80's (privately) according to a neighbour.
I've been working on the house as and when money allows so on & off for almost 2 yrs! My thing with the HA is that because we mutually exchanged they had their own surveyors out prior to exchanging to perform safety checks, inventory, etc. if they'd just said chances are there's asbestos in the artex I would've been a lot more careful!
Thanks
Aaron
adam1985 - 11/5/13 at 11:19 AM
Have you told the h/a what has happened?
Aaron_n_Sim - 11/5/13 at 11:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by adam1985
Have you told the h/a what has happened?
They came out to replace a ceiling the tradesman suspected it was contaminated and accordingly informed his seniors who sent a private specialist firm to test, they took samples! The HA called me yesterday to let me know the tests were positive, but when I asked if they'd be coming to seal, remove, cover it they said they don't know what if anything they will/can do, hence my frustration, obviously they re having the damaged ceiling sorted!
Thanks
Aaron
ashg - 11/5/13 at 05:58 PM
had a sleep still feel the same. if you owned your own house who would you sue? technically it should be the artex company you should sue not the H/A
Aaron_n_Sim - 11/5/13 at 06:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ashg
had a sleep still feel the same. if you owned your own house who would you sue? technically it should be the artex company you should sue not the H/A
"
I don't want to sue anyone want I them to make it safe, the artex was damaged when we moved in, I don't like the "where there's blame there's a claim" culture anymore than you! Sometimes you have to kick n scream and throw your toys around to get anywhere, I'm sure you understand that! If I could afford to sort it myself I would, I do a lot that I could get them to do, here and around the local area ie litter picking, going & washing the local wee heads puke away, graffiti, etc
If it were a private landlord it'd be their problem, as you said you own so it'd be your problem, the HA own this house so it's their problem, I am grateful for a roof over our heads, but I DO pay for it & for them to maintain it and keep it safe they choose to be landlords and have obligations.
Ultimately I got some some sound advice so lets get back to talking about cars.
Thanks
Aaron
Not Anumber - 11/5/13 at 07:43 PM
Your chest problems are most likely to have been caused by the heavy exposure to bog standard perfectly inert dust caused by filling and sanding the
walls.
The end result of filling and sanding can be every bit as good as a replastered wall for far less money, the downsides are the amount of time it takes
and the amount of dust generated.
ashg - 11/5/13 at 11:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron_n_Sim
quote:
Originally posted by ashg
had a sleep still feel the same. if you owned your own house who would you sue? technically it should be the artex company you should sue not the H/A
"
I don't want to sue anyone want I them to make it safe, the artex was damaged when we moved in, I don't like the "where there's blame there's a claim" culture anymore than you! Sometimes you have to kick n scream and throw your toys around to get anywhere, I'm sure you understand that! If I could afford to sort it myself I would, I do a lot that I could get them to do, here and around the local area ie litter picking, going & washing the local wee heads puke away, graffiti, etc
If it were a private landlord it'd be their problem, as you said you own so it'd be your problem, the HA own this house so it's their problem, I am grateful for a roof over our heads, but I DO pay for it & for them to maintain it and keep it safe they choose to be landlords and have obligations.
Ultimately I got some some sound advice so lets get back to talking about cars.
Thanks
Aaron
agreed its on them to remove it if its really causing a problem as you say they are the landlords after all. so moral of the story here... get artex checked out if you suspect that there is asbestos in it. btw i wasn't out to upset you, everyone sees things differently
Aaron_n_Sim - 12/5/13 at 12:02 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ashg
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron_n_Sim
quote:
Originally posted by ashg
had a sleep still feel the same. if you owned your own house who would you sue? technically it should be the artex company you should sue not the H/A
"
I don't want to sue anyone want I them to make it safe, the artex was damaged when we moved in, I don't like the "where there's blame there's a claim" culture anymore than you! Sometimes you have to kick n scream and throw your toys around to get anywhere, I'm sure you understand that! If I could afford to sort it myself I would, I do a lot that I could get them to do, here and around the local area ie litter picking, going & washing the local wee heads puke away, graffiti, etc
If it were a private landlord it'd be their problem, as you said you own so it'd be your problem, the HA own this house so it's their problem, I am grateful for a roof over our heads, but I DO pay for it & for them to maintain it and keep it safe they choose to be landlords and have obligations.
Ultimately I got some some sound advice so lets get back to talking about cars.
Thanks
Aaron
agreed its on them to remove it if its really causing a problem as you say they are the landlords after all. so moral of the story here... get artex checked out if you suspect that there is asbestos in it. btw i wasn't out to upset you, everyone sees things differently
I know you weren't out to upset me, nor I you!
Thanks
Aaron
Davey D - 12/5/13 at 06:00 AM
Didn't you wear a mask whilst you was doing all that sanding? A cheap disposable P3 mask would save your lungs.
A few years ago I did some work on one of our artexed walls. But I was unsure of the age of it, as later stuff contains no asbestos, so I wore a full
paper suit, and a P3 mask just to be on the safe side.
Jasper - 13/5/13 at 10:58 AM
Strange this has come up now, my father-in-law is in hospital in the process of being diagnosed with Mesothelioma. They reckon he's got from days
to up to 2 months to live, he only got symptoms in the last few week. He spent 20 years working as an industrial plumber in the 1960s'70's
and handled asbestos all the time during that period so was exposed to a huge amount. We're talking to a specialist solicitors who have been
really great - he'll get between £80-100k compensation.
He's also got late stage Parkinsons Disease, so in a way this is a much better outcome than a long slow nasty death with that disease - poor chap
is only 69
emwmarine - 13/5/13 at 11:23 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Jasper
Strange this has come up now, my father-in-law is in hospital in the process of being diagnosed with Mesothelioma. They reckon he's got from days to up to 2 months to live, he only got symptoms in the last few week. He spent 20 years working as an industrial plumber in the 1960s'70's and handled asbestos all the time during that period so was exposed to a huge amount. We're talking to a specialist solicitors who have been really great - he'll get between £80-100k compensation.
He's also got late stage Parkinsons Disease, so in a way this is a much better outcome than a long slow nasty death with that disease - poor chap is only 69
Really sorry to hear this Jasper and amazing that you, and hopefully your father-in-law as well, can see something positive from this tragedy.
It sounds like you could do the OP a real favour and private mail him details of the specialist solicitors you are using. My view is that a small amount of money spent by him now might, if God forbid the worst happened, help him and his family in the future.
Jasper - 13/5/13 at 11:56 AM
Yeah, will do.
nick205 - 13/5/13 at 01:06 PM
80 fags a day......!!!!
4 packs x £8/pack....£32 a day/£11,680 a years on fags....!!!!
REALLY
Surely that's got to be the primary health concern for you, your wife and your kids?
Aaron_n_Sim - 13/5/13 at 01:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
80 fags a day......!!!!
4 packs x £8/pack....£32 a day/£11,680 a years on fags....!!!!
REALLY
Surely that's got to be the primary health concern for you, your wife and your kids?
I quit a week ago, it's bloody hard going but the electric fags and 24hr patches help, that was my primary concern, I know asbestos takes a while to do damage! just wanted advice as I don't know enough about it! And I've never worked out the financials, maybe I'll get this car built now
nick205 - 13/5/13 at 02:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron_n_Sim
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
80 fags a day......!!!!
4 packs x £8/pack....£32 a day/£11,680 a years on fags....!!!!
REALLY
Surely that's got to be the primary health concern for you, your wife and your kids?
I quit a week ago, it's bloody hard going but the electric fags and 24hr patches help, that was my primary concern, I know asbestos takes a while to do damage! just wanted advice as I don't know enough about it! And I've never worked out the financials, maybe I'll get this car built now
You could build a seriously nice car with that kind of money!
twybrow - 13/5/13 at 04:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron_n_Sim
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
80 fags a day......!!!!
4 packs x £8/pack....£32 a day/£11,680 a years on fags....!!!!
REALLY
Surely that's got to be the primary health concern for you, your wife and your kids?
I quit a week ago, it's bloody hard going but the electric fags and 24hr patches help, that was my primary concern, I know asbestos takes a while to do damage! just wanted advice as I don't know enough about it! And I've never worked out the financials, maybe I'll get this car built now
You could build a seriously nice car with that kind of money!
Or pay a number of plasterers to come in and re-plaster your whole house and avoid any sanding of walls!
No offence meant Aaron, but it does annoy me when people who smoke say they have no money...! It is merely how you choose to prioritise/use your money. Some people build cars, others pay for Sky TV, others go down the pub each night... We all spend money we don't need to, it is just down to how we prioritise that spend.
Aaron_n_Sim - 13/5/13 at 04:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by twybrow
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron_n_Sim
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
80 fags a day......!!!!
4 packs x £8/pack....£32 a day/£11,680 a years on fags....!!!!
REALLY
Surely that's got to be the primary health concern for you, your wife and your kids?
I quit a week ago, it's bloody hard going but the electric fags and 24hr patches help, that was my primary concern, I know asbestos takes a while to do damage! just wanted advice as I don't know enough about it! And I've never worked out the financials, maybe I'll get this car built now
You could build a seriously nice car with that kind of money!
Or pay a number of plasterers to come in and re-plaster your whole house and avoid any sanding of walls!
No offence meant Aaron, but it does annoy me when people who smoke say they have no money...! It is merely how you choose to prioritise/use your money. Some people build cars, others pay for Sky TV, others go down the pub each night... We all spend money we don't need to, it is just down to how we prioritise that spend.
Fair point, and no offence taken,
Thanks
Aaron
James - 13/5/13 at 05:55 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Aaron_n_Sim
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
80 fags a day......!!!!
4 packs x £8/pack....£32 a day/£11,680 a years on fags....!!!!
REALLY
Surely that's got to be the primary health concern for you, your wife and your kids?
I quit a week ago, it's bloody hard going but the electric fags and 24hr patches help, that was my primary concern, I know asbestos takes a while to do damage! just wanted advice as I don't know enough about it! And I've never worked out the financials, maybe I'll get this car built now
Good on ya mate. Stick with it! I've never smoked but I know a lot who do and how hard quitting is!
But, as they say: No sacrifice, no victory!
Have a friend who's an NHS 'quit smoking' advisor/councillor and they have a good success rate.
Maybe you can get on a similar course to help you?
All the best,
James
P.S. Having seen you location- keep your eyes open for our meets up at Newlands Corner, Guildford.
[Edited on 13/5/13 by James]