Cornwall's Stop Smoking Service recently claimed that over l,000 people in Britain stop smoking every day, and stressed a number of health and financial points - such as smoking 20 a day costs almost £100 a month.

A number of well-established smokers were still happily lighting up, as they enjoyed the sunshine in Liskeard earlier this week. Many had tried to give up the weed in the past, but had found the addiction too great, and had slipped back into former ways.

A number of others had never smoked in their lives, but felt no great animosity towards those still lured by nicotine - unlike some states in America where smokers have been banned from puffing away almost everywhere.

Roll your own smoker, Phil Truscott of Par, has smoked for over 20 years. He has tried to give up in the past, and failed, and still would like to be able to stub out his last cigarette. He admits it's 'not a very good habit' but the longest he has every been able to say no to the next nicotine-boost is three weeks.

However, pensioner William 'Harold' Bailey of Addington proved a long time ago that he was able to give up on ciggies. He gave up at the start of the Second World War, in l939, and has never had a cigarette since, despite the dark days of the War. He said he relied on will power to quit after discovering he had begun to smoke 'like a train'. He said: 'One day I realised I was reaching in the packet to light up, while I was still smoking the previous cigarette, and I knew I had to do something.' He stopped then, and never slipped back into old ways.

Holidaymakers, husband and wife Rosemary and Barry James, have both given up smoking in the past years, although not both at the same time. Barry started when he was 12 or 13 and finally quit around ten to 12 years ago after several attempts. He said: 'I gave up regularly every New Year as a New Year's resolution, and was never successful. On this occasion I gave up two months before the New Year and thought if I could get through Christmas without smoking I would be all right. And I was.'

His wife, who said she had not been influenced by Barry's decision to stop, suddenly decided herself one day to give up, and never craved for a cigarette afterwards. Rosemary explained: 'I couldn't afford to smoke now.' Another visitor, 61-year-old George Lee, said he first lit up when he was l4 and has been happy smoking ever since.

He said his habit has never made him feel excluded anywhere, a sentiment re-iterated by Denis McQuarrie who was relaxing on one of the new seats on The Parade.

He has been smoking for about 42 years, since the age of 13. He did make one attempt to stop, about 20 years ago, but has long since slipped into old ways. He said he is quite happy to adopt 'no smoking' rules and regulations, but remains happy to keep puffing away. His wife, Pat, has never smoked herself, but has no objections to Denis' cigarettes.

Gavin Morgan, of Crow's Nest, describes himself as a weekend smoker, who gets through about 20 cigarettes a week, mainly at weekends when out clubbing or relaxing and drinking with friend. He has smoked for about ten years, and did give up around two years ago when he was successful at abstaining for a while - until offered a smoke by a friend.

Martin Williams, of Upton Cross, started in the same vein, as a weekend smoker. But he said that just recently he has found himself smoking during the week instead, and has found the craving for nicotine has intensified. He said he would like to give up because he detests the smell of smoke in his hair and on his clothes, and always showers as soon as he returns from a night out at a club.

Among those locals who had never smoked was an East Taphouse resident who said that she had never felt the inclination to light up a cigarette, but had no objection to others smoking.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health authority has been emphasising its 'that's it, I've quit' campaign which is highlighting nicotine replacement therapy in a bid to help reduce withdrawal symptoms, this taking in gum, patches, inhalators and microtabs.

The Stop Smoking Service can be reached on 01209 215666.