"When I was fifteen I had my first cigaret", that's how Anneke Meijer (48) start her story. "Ofcourse I had to do it secretly , my parnet s didn't smoke and told me often that it was bad for your health. But, hey, at that age everything your'e not allowed to do are the things you want to do. Especially when your friends are smoking. I found my first cigaret discusting, but it looked so cool!

Eventually my parnets found out and despite their wise advise I continued smoking. it started with a couple of cigarettes a day mainly at the school grounds. We had to be careful not to get caught bu one of the teachers since it wasn't allowed to smoke in or around school. At parties and trips we smoked a lot. Almost everybody smoked and I just din't wanted to be an outsider.

At a certain moment I realized that I had become a real smoker and I couldn't live without it. Addicted! Back then they didn't pay as much attention to it as nowadays. Ofcourse we knew it was bad but we looked at thoe people that had smoked their whole life and still made it to become 90. It was also allowed in most places like bars, cafe's, restaurants, etc. Even at work people smoked in if you weren't a smoker then unwillingly you smoked anyway. Not knowing back then that it was just as harmful.

I got married and my husband and many of our frineds smoked as well. After a birthday party the room was filled with blue smoke and we had to open all the windows to get the smell out of the house.

During my first pregnancy I stopped smoking and after my first one was born I haven't touch a cigaret either for some time. My husband tried as well but he couldn't do it.

Our marriage ended after 10 years and I had to continue alone with two small children. Becaus of all the stress and problemas I had I started smoking again.

I felt quilty towards my children.Especially when thye became teenagers. I had to give them the right example, right?! They thought cigarettes smelled. because they were too expensive at that time I smoked 'shag' and more then one package a week.

My first attempt to stop failed. I became so nervos and didn't know what to do anymore. until a good friend advised me to look for something that would distract me. She took me to a Paverpol workshop. From an old t-shirt and Paverpol we made a garden statue in just one day! IIt was amazing!

I had never made something creative with my hands that I could be proud of. But I showed my statue to all my friends and family. My mother asked to make her one as well. I bought some materials and started working at the dining table.

Paverpol is easy to remove from your hands. That's why I prefer to work without gloves. And with my hands covered in Paverpol I wan't able to lit a cigaret. I didn't even missed them when working with Paverpol! I knew that this was my change that quit smoking.

I admit, it wasn't always easy. But I did it! I've made a lot of stautes and gave them as gift to family and friends but the biggest gift of all I gave that to myself: clean lungs! I'm already 'smoke free' for 4 years!