What was your reasons for stopping smoking?
My reason for stopping smoking was my health and my grandchildren. I was also concerned about the cost of living and the price of cigarettes.
Have you stopped smoking previously?
I did, it was before the pandemic in 2018. I stopped smoking with a nicotine mouth spray and lozenges. I stopped for quite a while, but unfortunately relapsed due to working from home and the pandemic.
Before your first appointment, did you believe you would be successful?
Yes, because I got it into my head that I am going to be. I was more determined.
Did you use stop smoking medication to help you quit?
Yes, I have decided to try the nicotine gum and lozenges this time.
How helpful did you find them?
Very helpful. They have really helped with the craving and helped to succeed with my quit.
Apart from medication, what else helped you to quit and stay smokefree?
I think I have got it into my head that I am not going to touch a cigarette. I have also been walking my dog and doing some gardening. I also think the Sheffield Smokefree service is a fantastic service; very supportive. I could text any time and my advisor has been a great help.
What do you like the most about been a non-smoker / quit?
I feel much healthier. I don’t have a nasty taste in my mouth and have more money in my pocket!
Has your health improved since your quit and if so, in what ways?
I still suffer with some health issues not related to smoking, but I think my breathing has improved.
Other than health, have you achieved anything since quitting that you couldn’t do whilst smoking?
I have been able to buy other things. I have bought a lot of potting items for my garden instead of buying cigarettes. I am also able to spoil my grandchildren more.
What have you found helpful whilst accessing Yorkshire Smokefree service?
I have found the support of my advisor and phone calls very helpful, I am also happy that I could text my advisor any time. I have accessed the resources on the client portal which I found very useful. Overall, a great service; I highly recommend it. Referral was very easy, I referred myself and had an immediate response. There are many ways to self-refer, You can either do it yourself or through a health professional. I have stayed in the hospital recently after having surgery and wasn’t well to come in for a f2f appointment, so telephone was more suitable for me.
