Ivan was referred to Yorkshire Smokefree by his GP, but was scared with how he would cope. He's successfully stopped smoking with the support of our service in Barnsley. We did a Q&A session with Ivan and here's what he told us...
What were your reasons for stopping smoking?
I was asked by my GPs if I wanted to stop smoking. I decided to give it a go and was then referred to the service. I have a young son who could see me smoking and did not want him to start copying as he gets older and to think it was alright to do.
Have you stopped smoking previously?
I stopped smoking before for 2 years, bust started again as I thought it was a stress reliever.
Before your first appointment, did you believe you would be successful?
Yes but I was scared with how I would cope when on my own or what to do if I got stressed. I wanted to know what to do and how to change my behaviour.
Did you use stop smoking medication to help you quit and what did you use?
Nicotine patches and mouth spray - I used Quick Mist.
How helpful did you find these products?
The patches and mouth spray worked for me. I didn’t know that they would work but they did. However, I didn't really like the lozenges.
Apart from medication, what else helped you to quit and stay smokefree?
The texts and advice from the service were great. The text always seemed to come at the right time and the CO tests were great to see.
What do you like the most about being a non-smoker?
I’ve noticed that everything tastes better, and doesn’t smell of smoke.
Has your health improved since your quit and if so, in what ways?
Yes! I am going to the gym and feel more energetic now than before.
Other than health, have you achieved anything since quitting that you could not do whilst smoking?
I have more time now and have saved money. I can walk past people that smoke without wanting one myself.
What have you found helpful whilst accessing the Yorkshire Smokefree service?
The advice that was given, the small tips and tricks and the calls and the texts seem to come at the right times to help.
Could you give us a quote about your experience of becoming smokefree that may help others to take the same step.
It is personal discretion and for their own choice to stop smoking. You have to want to do it.
(image used for illustration purposes only, name changed at the client's request)
