Having started smoking in his early teenage years before he became smoke free, Paul was smoking on average 5 – 7 small cigars a day.
Paul works night shifts in a hazardous environment, which means that every year he needs to undergo a lung capacity test. In addition, he was also called up for a lung CT scan as part of the Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) NHS program that helps identify people at risk of lung cancer. When both tests came back with undesirable results, he knew it was time to quit smoking to protect his health long term. Paul said: “I was told I had the lungs of an 86 year old and I’m only 60. This did make me panic a bit. After the Targeted Lung Health Check they told me I needed to quit smoking and provided me with your contact phone number so I decided to give you a call.”
Our friendly Wellbeing team promptly put Paul in contact with Sarah, one of our expert NHS Health Improvement Practitioners. She talked through all the nicotine replacement products he could try. In the end, he decided to quit smoking by switching to vaping,and Sarah supplied him with a free vape, plus 5 weeks’ worth of e-liquid.
Paul was really impressed with the vape. It helped him manage his cravings and he found it a meaningful exchange for tobacco, taking care of the habitual side of smoking. Paul said: “I used to find my smoking breaks relaxing. Now I’ve quit, I still go for smoking breaks but use a vape instead and it’s just as relaxing. I don’t even crave tobacco anymore, the vape is sufficient.”
Paul was delighted to discover that becoming smoke free won’t just benefit his lung health—it has been a boost for his bank balance too. Paul now has some great ideas how to better spend the money saved , saying: “I was spending around £35 a week. I would like to save the money I was spending on smoking and use it to renovate our front room and buy new furniture.”
Clearly quitting smoking has been a positive change in Paul’s life. He is determined to remain smoke free and is grateful for the support he received from Sarah in helping him achieve it.
Sarah said: “it was a pleasure to help Paul on his journey to becoming smoke free. Well done Paul!”