Former smokers have shared their ‘life-changing’ stories of quitting as North Yorkshire Council promotes its Living Well Smokefree service.
When John Peacock sought help to quit his 50 cigarettes a day smoking habit, he knew it was not only a significant step towards a healthier lifestyle but one that would save him a lot of money.
The 76-year-old Thirsk resident began smoking when he was aged 16 and over the years has spent hundreds of pounds each month buying tobacco until he spotted a poster at his local GP surgery about the Living Well Smokefree service and reached out.
With the help of the team, the retired HGV driver and avid motorbike enthusiast has not had a single cigarette in the last three months and is motivated to stay on track. He admits he has seen a “huge” improvement in his health and is also saving £400 each month that he would normally have spent on cigarettes.
“Smoking was the norm back in the 1960s,” said Mr Peacock. “I’ve smoked for decades and in recent years it was 50 cigarettes a day. I knew I had to stop because I have suffered from heart failure, shortness of breath and lots of trouble sleeping. Staff at the council’s smokefree service have been extremely supportive and encouraging, especially Maggie Brown. If it wasn’t for their help, I would still have been smoking.”
The father-of-one added: “I’ve been smokefree for three months now and don’t miss it at all. It’s been life-changing for me, and I’m determined to keep it this way. I’ve noticed huge health improvements, joined the gym, am learning to swim and with the hundreds of pounds I’m saving, I’m spending the cash on my much-loved bikes. My only regret is if I had kicked the habit years ago.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “Cigarettes are one of the most harmful products on the market – killing up to two of every three lifelong smokers. However, the positive impact of stopping smoking is immediate – with lung function and circulation improving in a few weeks.
“John’s story proves that you can change your life and quit smoking at any time. Just because you have smoked for a long time, it doesn’t mean you always have to. Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can ever do for your health and our Living Well Smokefree service is here to support you every step of the way.”
The 13th annual Stoptober quitting campaign is under way this month (October), with thousands of smokers taking part nationwide.
Nearly six million adults in England smoke and it remains the single leading cause of preventable death, with 64,000 deaths a year. Figures from Action on Smoking and Health UK (ASH) reveal there are currently between 45,000 to 53,000 smokers in North Yorkshire.
According to statistics, quitting remains one of the best things a smoker can do for their health. If a smoker makes it to 28 days smoke-free, they are five times more likely to quit for good.
Among the success stories is Newton-Le-Willows resident, Professor Deborah Withington. With a new grandson on the way, Professor Withington knew she had to make significant changes to her lifestyle.
Being fit and healthy so she can play with the new addition to her family was her catalyst to stopping smoking. And thanks to the council’s Living Well Service, the 60-year-old is celebrating six months being smokefree.
She said: “I smoked 20 cigarettes a day for the past 25 years. It was not only becoming too expensive, but with a new grandson in the house, I knew I had to stop. I’ve received great support finding different ways to get over nicotine cravings, tried various methods including nicotine replacement therapy until I found the one that suited me the best. Regular check-ins to see how I’m doing from the Living Well team have been so welcoming.”
She added: “I love that my house and clothes smell fresh, my voice is not raspy and I’ve felt energetic when playing with my grandson. I’m also intending to save £4,500 a year that I would have spent on cigarettes.”
Encouraging other smokers to kick the habit, she said: “The combination of support and treatment to stop smoking worked well for me and it can work for you too. I’m really grateful to the team, especially Emily Fazal for the support she provided to stop.”
North Yorkshire Council’s director of public health, Louise Wallace, said: “Quitting can be difficult, but evidence shows you increase your chances of success with the right support, which is where our Living Well Smokefree service comes in; offering people in the county the help they need to give up smoking for good. No matter how many years you have smoked, it is never too late to give up.”
Also backing the Stoptober campaign is Harrogate singer Matthew Mather. He began smoking aged 14 and used to smoke 10 to 15 cigarettes a day. It was when he attended a martial arts class four years ago that he realised how unfit he is which led him to start running and exploring ways to quit.
He said: “I managed to stop smoking for a year on my own but soon relapsed. I had tried self-help books and patches but nothing worked until I read a leaflet about the council’s smoking cessation service and sought help. They offered me face-to-face advice and allowed me to try vaping whilst weaning myself off the nicotine which so far has worked really well for me.”
The 37-year-old said he is thankful for the support he received which has not only helped to achieve his goal of successfully completing a half-marathon, but saved his singing career.
“My voice is clearer, less raspy and I can hold my breath for longer. It also gets less fatigued over the length of a gig. I feel a lot more confident hitting the high notes in the finale now whereas before it would be 50/50 whether or not I would be able to do it.
“I also completed the Great North Run last month so that’s a real achievement and felt fantastic to pass the finishing line with a clear chest and feeling fit.”
North Yorkshire Council’s Living Well Smokefree service is available to anyone who lives or works in North Yorkshire or is registered with a GP in the county and they can be contacted on either 01609 797272 or via email stop.smoking@northyorks.gov.uk
More information about the service and the support it offers can be found at : www.northyorks.gov.uk/StoppingSmoking
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