Andrew's Story:
My name is Andrew, I am a taxi driver and have been smoking for 40 years. I started smoking in my mid-20s. I did manage to stop for 8 years but relapsed and started smoking again. My reason for contacting Stop Smoking Services was my health, which was deteriorating, and I could hardly breathe. I started my face-to-face sessions at Normanton Library with the Smoking Advisor, Marie.
I did not think for one second that I could stop smoking and had to really motivate myself to quit. We talked about the medication, and I decided to try Zyban. It has been brilliant for me—no cravings and no side effects. The CO readings and the face-to-face appointments helped me stay on track.
What I like most about being a non-smoker is the freedom—I can do more of the things I enjoy without having to think about the next cigarette or rolling them. As soon as the adverts came on TV, I would rush to have one, but now I have more time to sit and relax.
I can breathe better, taste my food, and no longer have those dizzy spells. My granddaughter (my princess) is really pleased too!
My work colleagues thought I would never quit—I proved them all wrong! Thank you, Marie, for your support and encouragement for both myself and my wife, Gail!
Gail's Story:
My name is Gail, and I would like to share my story. I have been seeing my advisor, Marie, at Normanton Library and have just completed my four-week quit, and I am so pleased with myself.
This was my second attempt at quitting with the service. I relapsed the first time around and went back to smoking 20 a day. I can honestly say I felt awful when I went back to smoking, and my health started to deteriorate quickly, especially with the coughing.
Although I only managed to quit for 2 weeks the first time around, I did feel so much better for doing it, which gave me the motivation to try again! I am finding it much easier this time and feel more in control, determined to keep going and stay quit. I have just reduced my patches to 14mg now.
My husband, Andrew, kept me motivated—he has now finished the programme with Marie and has reached his 12-week quit.
All the support has helped us so much. There is no way we could have done this without the help of the NHS Smokefree Service, and we have been telling our friends to join the programme!
