Stoptober is a great opportunity to stop smoking, and there’s plenty of support to help you. SmokeFree Hull, helped their client quit smoking, and they said it’s the best thing that they’ve ever done.
“I started smoking when I was 10 years old. Everyone around me was smoking, so it was the natural thing to do. I tried to quit once and lasted 6 weeks, then I got stressed with a situation and I started up again. I was also smoking a lot of cannabis as well, as I thought smoking helped with my stress, but it didn’t.
I have many health issues, I have a heart condition, COPD, emphysema, and asthma and my doctor kept asking me to stop, but it was never the right time for me. Then I got a text from Hull City Council about their swap to stop smoking campaign. I was struggling to breathe and bringing up black phlegm on my chest at the time, so once I had this text, I thought why not give it a go. I rang SmokeFree Hull, and used the free vape they were offering, and I’ve not had a cigarette for 8 weeks now.
I feel so much better, my breathing has improved, and I can tell the difference in my chest. I can last longer in the day now, before having to use my asthma pump too.
I have also noticed a difference in my finances as I only spend £20 a week for the extra vape oils. Whereas I was spending £80 a week on cigarettes before, so a saving of £60 a week. I’m housebound, and so I play on a PlayStation a lot to keep me busy, so I’m going to use the money for a new TV.
I suffer from depression and anxiety, and I need the PlayStation to help with distracting myself, but it’s also been great for coping with cravings too, as it keeps my hands busy. I’ve been getting on well with the vape, I love it! I like the taste of it, and it’s helped me get off tobacco.
My lungs are getting better, as I don’t cough up no-where near as much phlegm as I used to. It’s satisfying to see the difference, I know I will never fully recover as I have COPD, but it has helped me cope better with that as well.
Giving up smoking was the best thing I could have done. I would highly recommend the service for help. Chelsea, my Stop Smoking Advisor, has been lovely, and rings me up to check on my progress, and it’s nice to have the encouragement. I’ve never had this in my life before growing up, I was never congratulated on anything, so it’s also been a great boost for my confidence too. It’s been positive for my self-belief.
I always thought I couldn’t do things like this, but I’ve proved to myself that I can. It’s very uplifting and one of the other positives to come out of quitting.
Without getting the text from the council, I know I would have carried on smoking. It was the push I needed, and it came through at the right time for me. I think everyone should give it a go, you have nothing to lose, and I’m very glad I did.
I want to thank Chelsea; I wouldn’t have been able to do it without her support and her encouragement along the way. It’s the best feeling to be able to breathe again, and taste food. I’m really enjoying my cheese and onion crisps again, but I’m also discovering new foods like olives!
Thank you SmokeFree Hull.”
Stop smoking for the 28 days of Stoptober and you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
If you’d like free support to quit, contact SmokeFree Hull on 01482 977617 or visit: www.changegrowlive.org/hull