Congratulations to Mark, who successfully stopped smoking with the support of Smokefree Sheffield. He was proud to receive his 12 week quit certificate from his advisors recently, at his appointment at the Early Days Family Centre in Sheffield. Here's his story:
Mark decided it was time to stop smoking for three important reasons – his health, his finances and his confidence. Although he had tried to quit before and had previously accessed the Smokefree Sheffield service without success, he was determined to give it another go.
Before his first appointment, Mark admits he felt a little uncertain.
"I was a bit wary because I'd been on the programme before and hadn't managed to quit."
This time, however, things were different. With the support of Smokefree Sheffield and a strong determination to succeed, Mark was ready to break free from smoking for good.
To help him manage his cravings, Mark used a vape. He says the first few days were the toughest, but things soon became much easier.
"The first three days were hard, but after that it got much easier. I got used to the sweet flavours, and they were much better than the bitter taste of cigarettes."
Alongside the vape, Mark believes his determination to quit played a huge part in his success. Each day without a cigarette strengthened his confidence that he could achieve his goal.
Since becoming smokefree, Mark has noticed several positive changes. One of the biggest differences has been getting his sense of taste and smell back. He has also enjoyed the simple pleasure of living in a fresher environment.
"My room no longer smells of smoke and my clothes smell much better too."
Looking back on his journey, Mark is proud that he didn't let previous quit attempts stop him from trying again. His experience shows that every quit attempt is a learning opportunity, and with the right support and a positive mindset, success is possible.
Today, Mark is enjoying a healthier, fresher and more confident smokefree life, proving that it's never too late to make a positive change.
Congratulations Mark, you've done so well!
