What was your main reason for accessing the service?
Health - COPD and asthma, plus possible long-Covid. Chest and breathing were getting worse, may require oxygen therapy in future and would not be able to have oxygen if still smoking. Had chest infection at initial appointment and was on highest dose steroid inhalator plus antibiotics. I felt I needed NHS help as I tried to quit a few times on my own cold turkey but kept relapsing when I was stressed/anxious.
Did you believe you could achieve 4 weeks Smokefree?
Not at first - I had a few lapses in the first couple of weeks but felt I had made good progress cutting down. My advisor pointed out that I needed to not be smoking any cigarettes at all and at first I felt annoyed. However, I thought about what she said and realised she was right - I was only prolonging things and still damaging my lungs. I threw away all my tobacco after that and started using my inhalator more regularly.
Have you used stop smoking medication to help you quit?
Yes I used the 16 hour patches and inhalator for 3 months in total. I was on the medium strength for 8 weeks and the low strength for the final 4 weeks.
How helpful did you find it?
Really helpful and effective, definitely took the edge off cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The inhalator was useful for after meals as it gave me something to do with my hands.
Apart from medication, what else helped you to quit and stay smokefree?
Taking up a new hobby - learning Spanish! Tried to make changes to usual routine, looked at other ways of coping with stress and kept hands and mind as busy as possible.
Apart from medication, what else helped you to quit and stay smokefree?
Taking up a new hobby – learning Spanish! Tried to make changes to usual routine, looked at other ways of coping with stress and kept hands and mind as busy as possible.
Did you visit the Yorkshire Smokefree Webpage?
I looked at the information on the website. The Client Zone was helpful, with videos of all the different NRT products and a list of pharmacies so I knew where to redeem my E-voucher.
Has your health improved since you quit and if so, in what ways?
Yes - since I quit both my physical and mental health have dramatically improved. I can go out for a walk and not feel like I'm dying. My breathing was so bad I thought that was it. I just want people to know it's never too late to stop. Even with COPD - I still get out of breath but nothing that it used to be and I can sleep at night without worrying I might not wake up. I am looking forward to seeing the results of my breathing tests as they checked and I can now jog and talk on the phone without getting short of breath.
Other than health, have you achieved anything since quitting that you couldn't do whilst smoking?
There are so many benefits all round like an increase in energy, better quality sleep, being able to taste food properly and of course being better off financially. Plus my house has never smelt so fresh! Before I quit, I thought I might only have a couple of years left to live with the way I was feeling. Now I am saving money I am not spending on smoking and planning to book a holiday abroad next year.
Has the current lockdown helped with your quit or has this made quitting harder?
Boredom was an issue in lockdown as it was a big trigger for my smoking - I tried to find different activites to fill the time whilst in the house. I have been trying to go on walks when able as my breathing and fitness started to improve very quickly after quitting.
Lockdown was also helpful in some ways as I wasn't able to socialise with some smokers. The timing of stopping smoking in January was good as I am now 4 months smokefree and feel more confident to go out now restrictions have lifted.
What have you found helpful accessing the service via the Telephone?
Telephone support was regular and consistent. It made the service easier to access than having to go to the GP surgery - my COPD means I am classed as vulnerable so would not have wanted to access face-to-face appointments plus I have agoraphobia.
