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For many people, stopping smoking isn’t just about health - it’s about freedom, confidence, family and taking back control. Janet recently shared her journey after successfully quitting smoking with support from the Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley team.
After years of smoking and previous quit attempts, Janet is now proudly smokefree and discovering all the little things in life that no longer revolve around cigarettes.
For Janet, the motivation to stop smoking came from a very personal place: family. She had plans to visit family in Australia, including grandchildren who didn’t know she smoked.
“I have always avoided smoking in front of them, so I thought there was no better time to stop before I went and be smokefree for the trip.”
Janet also reflected on how smoking made her feel personally. “I don’t like the look of people smoking and realised this is something I didn’t want to see in myself anymore.”
Like many smokers, this wasn’t Janet’s first attempt to quit. She had successfully stopped smoking in her late twenties and stayed smokefree for around three years before returning to smoking during a particularly stressful period while studying for an MBA and working full time.
“Coffee and cigs kept me going and that’s what started it up again.”
Over the years, Janet tried nicotine patches and early e-cigarettes, but neither worked long term.
This quit attempt felt different from the start. After hearing positive experiences from a friend who had used Varenicline, Janet began researching stop smoking medication options and felt optimistic about finding something that suited her. “This time around I did feel more confident about stopping.”
With support from Yorkshire Smokefree, Janet chose to use Varenicline to help her quit smoking. She felt the medication was particularly helpful because it matched her personal goals.
“I knew I didn’t want to vape, as I felt I would just swap the cigs for the vape and then struggle to come off that. I wanted to fully stop.”
Janet also felt it was especially beneficial for long-term smokers who may have already tried other quit methods.
“I think Varenicline is a great product for long term smokers like me that were smoking 15–20 a day and had tried everything else.”
While medication played a role, Janet says support from the Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley team was equally important.
“It’s so easy when quitting smoking or making other lifestyle changes to lie to yourself. But it is far more difficult to lie to someone else — especially those that are trying to help you.”
She particularly valued the non-judgemental approach from the team.
“I knew the health risks associated with smoking and the team at no point patronised or lectured me. They were very non-judgemental.”
Support from family and friends also helped Janet stay focused, even during difficult moments. After losing a close friend, she resisted the urge to smoke. “This friend was so proud of how well I had done; I didn’t want to let him down.”
Janet also used the Yorkshire Smokefree website to locate a pharmacy able to dispense Varenicline and received additional information from the team about possible side effects while travelling abroad. She praised both the service and pharmacy support throughout her quit journey.
“I couldn’t fault the pharmacy I used. They made sure I was alright on the products at each visit, alongside the service.”
When asked what she enjoys most about being smokefree, Janet’s answer was simple; “I like the fact it doesn’t control my day and my time anymore.”
She described the freedom that comes with no longer planning daily life around cigarettes.
“It’s the daft little things, like when I go out for lunch with my friends, I don’t have to go outside for a cig or plan when my next cig is going to be.”
Although Janet already considered herself relatively healthy, quitting smoking has encouraged her to become more active in retirement. She has now taken up Pilates and swimming - and is also enjoying the financial benefits of quitting.
“It has also saved me money, which is always a bonus.”
Stopping smoking can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. With the right support and treatment options, quitting is possible at any stage of life. Find out more about the free support available from Yorkshire Smokefree.
