Having tried to quit several times without success, Jill is now encouraging other smokers to seek professional support, crediting Smokefree Sheffield with helping her finally break free from cigarettes after almost 60 years.
Jill says the encouragement and guidance she received gave her the confidence to succeed, and she hopes her story will inspire others to take the first step towards becoming smokefree.
"I've had two lifelong passions – fitness and smoking – and they really don't belong together," said Jill, who divides her time between her home in Manor Top, Sheffield, and an apartment in Turkey.
"I started smoking when I was just 13 years old, and over the years it simply became part of my daily routine. It was my way of relaxing, and eventually it became something I did without even thinking about it."
Although Jill had attempted to quit several times in the past, she found it difficult to do it on her own.
"I'd tried stopping before, but I could never quite manage it by myself. This time, having the support of Smokefree Sheffield made all the difference. I'm now five months smokefree, and it feels amazing."
Jill hopes her experience will encourage anyone who is thinking about quitting to reach out for support, proving that no matter how long you've smoked or how many times you've tried before, it is never too late to quit successfully.
Watch her story:
