Dave wanted to stop smoking because he has COPD, is Asthmatic and because his Mother would be so happy.
Dave says “It wasn't doing me any good and my wife doesn’t smoke. After smoking for 60 years, I thought it was time to change. I smoked Cannabis for 27 years as well". I started smoking aged 12 years and ran away from home aged 13 to join the circus.
In my earlier days, I was a strong man in the circus, I did the bed of nails and was a fire eater. I had my photo in the Thorne Gazette 30 odd years since, eating the fire at the 50yr anniversary of St. Wilfred’s Church. I’ll never forget it, as the wind blew back the fire into my face and burnt my eyebrows and eyelashes.
When I first saw Yorkshire Smokefree advertised online, I wondered if they could help me? When I visited them, I really believed I could quit smoking.
First I I sent an email and someone called me to make an appointment, this is where I made a decision to stop smoking everything, including my vape; by this Summer.
I Have 3 rules:
1.) I can do it
2.) I am going to do it
3.) I will do it - I HAVE DONE IT !
Initially, I tried patches and Inhalators. I used to keep them on all week and used a vape at weekends (for the action). I put a patch on every Sunday night, then nothing in the week; this worked for me. My family and friends have been very supportive and I also had great support from Yorkshire Smokefree Doncaster. I would not have been able to do it without all the help I’ve had.
The Most important thing is, YOU HAVE GOT TO HAVE FAITH IN YOURSELF - YOU CAN DO IT - I HAVE!
I have put a bit of weight on since I quit, though this is pushing me to exercise more. I can ride my bike from Thorne to Doncaster in 40 minutes, it used to take me an hour and a half.
I also no longer have to use my blue inhaler for my asthma, haven’t used it for over a week.
Face to Face appointments worked well for me
My Mum has Alzheimer’s, she stopped smoking when she was in her 40s, she used to say to me, IF I CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU! I’ve proved her right and now I’m saying it, if I can quit, so can you!
Since stopping smoking cannabis and cigarettes, I’ve saved over £400 a month - my Mrs worked it out for me.
From Smoking to Eating Fire. Both Extinguished never to be re-lit.
