For Gregory from Sheffield, the decision to stop smoking came after a visit to the dentist. It was the push he needed to make a positive change, and with support from Yorkshire Smokefree, he took the first steps towards becoming smokefree.
Unlike many people who access the service, Gregory had never attempted to quit smoking before. And while he knew it was something he wanted to do, he wasn't entirely confident about how successful he'd be.
“I wasn't too sure.”
But Gregory decided to give it a go, and having the right support and a clear plan in place proved particularly important.
As someone who works well to deadlines, Gregory found that setting a specific quit date gave him something to focus on and work towards.
“I work to deadlines so having a quit date helped me.”
Alongside this, Gregory received stop smoking medication, although he admits he wasn't entirely sure whether it was the nicotine, the distraction or simply having something to turn to that helped him manage the change.
He also found the incentive scheme offered through the service a useful source of motivation, providing an extra reason to stay committed to his quit attempt.
However, one of the biggest factors in Gregory's journey was the opportunity to meet with someone face to face.
For him, having in-person appointments rather than relying on telephone support made a significant difference.
“Seeing a person rather than a phone call is better as I don't think I would have stopped.”
While some people notice immediate improvements to their health or lifestyle after quitting, Gregory's experience has been a little different.
He hasn't identified any particular changes that he enjoys about being smokefree and has noticed some weight gain since stopping. But his experience is an important reminder that everyone's quit journey is different, and the benefits aren't always immediately noticeable.
What Gregory's story does highlight is the value of finding an approach that works for you. Whether that's having a firm quit date, an additional incentive or regular face-to-face encouragement, the right combination of support can make quitting feel more achievable.
And when asked what advice he'd give to someone else thinking about stopping smoking, Gregory didn't hesitate.
“Just do it.”
Sometimes, taking that first step is the most important part of the journey.
Whether you're thinking about quitting for the first time or have tried before, Yorkshire Smokefree offers free, friendly and personalised support to help you find an approach that works for you.
