Former smokers from Plymouth share their reasons for quitting smoking in the run up to No Smoking Day (11th March).
We want to encourage and inspire residents of Plymouth who smoke to put it behind them and make a fresh quit this No Smoking Day by sharing inspiring stories from former smoking survivors who live in the city.
They have all successfully quit smoking with no regrets, freeing themselves from addiction while gaining better health, finances, and freedom, by changing their mindset to see smoking as a trap, not a pleasure. Let their stories inspire you!
Real-life reasons for quitting
Health Benefits
Bill’s smoking habit was seriously starting to negatively impact his health, so much so that he couldn’t even walk his dog without stopping to catch his breath every couple of minutes. Bill said: “I walk my dog three times a day and it was getting increasingly difficult. I would cough all the time and need to stop every 100 yards to catch my breath. Then when I got home I’d have to sit down for 10 minutes just to recover.”
Shortly after Bill became smoke free, he could feel his health improving. Bill said: “After just three weeks I could do my daily dog walks again with no problems. I’m even walking into town now, something that I would never normally do. I feel like a new person, I feel like I used to feel before I started smoking. The effects of not smoking are far better than I ever thought they would be. I feel like a new man! I’m coming up to 70 but I don’t feel it at all. Smoking was robbing me of my money and my health. I never expected to feel this well, it’s like I’ve got my get up and go back!”
Andy also gave up smoking for his health when he suddenly started feeling unwell and was admitted to hospital. It turned out that he had blocked arteries and needed to undergo a stent procedure. Following the procedure, it really struck Andy that he had suffered a serious health event and firmly believes that smoking was the cause due to its clogging action on arteries. He also knew that if he continued to smoke it would make any treatment for coronary artery disease less likely to work. Andy said: “The hospital staff informed me that if the stent doesn’t work then I’d need bypass surgery and I just can’t allow that to happen. Smoking is going to kill me. It’ll carry on clogging my arteries and I had to say NO MORE!”
In another case, Paul was struck down by a sudden heart attack whilst he was smoking a cigarette: “I was actually smoking a cigarette when the heart attack came on. It was a powerful wake-up call. I always knew in the back of my mind that smoking would put me at risk of a major health scare. I wish I never started.”
Quitting for the future of their baby
Ria and Matt both used to smoke around 15 cigarettes a day until something wonderful happened. Ria found out she was pregnant! Determined to protect their baby and have a healthy pregnancy, they knew they had to stop smoking. They were also determined to protect their child from the dangers of second-hand smoke, Matt said with conviction: “I do not want smoke around my child.”
Financial Gain
Julie and Tyronne both used to smoke between 10 – 12 cigarettes a day. As the price of tobacco continues to increase, they knew they could not afford such a costly habit anymore. “We were spending £64 a week on tobacco and the price just keeps going up and up.”
Now that a large part of their income is not going up in smoke, they can save the money they spent on cigarettes and use it to treat themselves and their family to something special: “We are using the money to save for a holiday and we’ve also got more money to treat our grandchildren which is lovely.”
Losing a loved one to a smoking related illness
Sadly, Shanna’s Nan and Grandfather had their lives cut short due to smoking-related illnesses. Convinced that they would still be enjoying life today and for many years to come if they didn’t smoke, Shanna knew she had to quit smoking to protect her own health.
Shanna said: “When my Grandad passed away, I promised him that I would give up smoking. He had bone and lung cancer I believe were caused by smoking. Nan died of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) caused by smoking as well. They were heavy smokers.”
Taylor also lost his father to a heart condition, which he strongly believes was caused by his father’s smoking habit, saying: “My Dad was a heavy smoker and was smoking regularly from the age of 13. I strongly think that smoking was related to his heart giving out.” Being acutely aware that smoking is a major cause of heart disease, as well as other cardiovascular diseases, Taylor knew it was time to quit.
Fed up of feeling like the “odd one out”
Rowena used to smoke between 20 – 30 cigarettes a day. Her partner had successfully quit smoking, no one in her family smokes and neither do her friends. Being the “odd one out” highlighted the negative aspects of smoking, such as having to step outside, smelling like smoke, and feeling isolated from a group’s social flow. Rowena said: “I hated having to go outside then come back stinking of stale smoke. I notice it a lot more now I’ve quit smoking. It’s a repulsive smell and I can’t believe I used to smell like that!”
Clearly, becoming smoke free has been the best decision they’ve ever made. They have all successfully quit smoking for good with no regrets, losing nothing and making significant gains in health, wealth and control over their lives. It’s never too late to quit and our non-judgemental, friendly health improvement practitioners are here to help you or a loved one take your first steps on that journey. Contact our friendly wellbeing team today, and you’ll be three times more likely to quit smoking for good with our support. Call 01752 437177 or email livewell.oy