I didn’t start smoking until I was 30, and I’m now 44. I had wanted to quit for some time, but I didn’t think I would be able to do it. I wanted to stop because I felt judged by others who saw me smoking, and I hated the fact that after having a cigarette, people could smell it on me when I walked past.
I called Yorkshire Smokefree, and I’ve been using patches alongside phone calls from my advisor. I’m proud to say I’ve now been smoke-free for 9 weeks. I had a slip-up in the first week when I was stressed, but apart from that, I haven’t had a single cigarette. Smoking used to give me two minutes to myself, but now I’ve realised I don’t need cigarettes—I can find something else to do.
Since quitting, I no longer have headaches, and the wheezing I used to experience at night has gone. I feel fresher, cleaner, and just better about myself overall. When I was around non-smokers, I was always trying to find a way to sneak off and smoke, but that’s not a concern anymore.
I’ve even received some lovely compliments from my mum, who’s proud of me for making this change. I never want to smoke again, and I want to encourage others who think they can’t quit: if I can do it, anyone can!
