For George, concerns about his health were behind his decision to stop smoking. He'd tried to quit before, but this time there was an important difference – he genuinely wanted to stop.
Despite having the motivation, George admits that he didn't feel particularly optimistic when he started, telling his advisor, "I wasn't confident at all."
With support from Smokefree Sheffield, George has proved to himself that he could do it.
George chose to switch to a vape to help him stop smoking and found it very useful in managing the transition away from cigarettes. Having his partner, Jacqueline, quitting alongside him also meant they could go through the experience together.
One of George's biggest motivations was wanting to get rid of the cough he'd developed from smoking – and becoming smoke free has already made a noticeable difference.
"My health is better and I'm not coughing like I was before."
There have been financial benefits too. No longer having to regularly buy cigarettes means George is now saving money as well as improving his health.
George first discovered the support available from Smokefree Sheffield after picking up a leaflet. He says that without it, he wouldn't have known there was help available.
Throughout his quit attempt, George was supported by Smokefree Sheffield advisor Sharon, and having someone there to offer encouragement and understanding made a real difference.
In his words, "The service is really good. Sharon was great – helpful and understanding."
George's journey shows that you don't necessarily need to feel completely confident before starting your quit attempt. Sometimes, taking that first step is what matters.
His advice to anyone else considering quitting is:
"You can stop if you just try."
For Jacqueline, improving her health was the main reason she decided it was time to stop smoking. And this time, she wasn't doing it alone.
Jacqueline had tried to quit before, but having her husband stop smoking at the same time gave her extra motivation and meant they could support each other along the way.
With help from Smokefree Sheffield, Jacqueline chose to switch to a vape to help her quit cigarettes – something she describes simply as "brilliant."
Alongside the vape, Jacqueline says her own motivation played an important part in helping her stay smoke-free.
Since quitting, she's already started to notice the benefits.
"I feel better in myself," she says. "My health feels a little better too."
There's also been another welcome benefit – saving money by no longer buying cigarettes.
Jacqueline first found out about the stop smoking support available to her after picking up a leaflet at her GP surgery. She was supported through her quit attempt by Smokefree Sheffield advisor Sharon.
"The service is really good. Sharon was great – helpful and understanding."
Having professional support alongside the encouragement of her husband has helped Jacqueline successfully become smoke free.
And for anyone who is thinking about quitting but hasn't yet taken that first step, Jacqueline's advice couldn't be simpler:
"Just do it."
Smokefree Sheffield offers free, friendly and personalised support to help you find the right way to quit. Whether you choose a vape, nicotine replacement therapy or another stop smoking treatment, you don't have to do it alone.
