I turn 60 soon, and I’ve been smoking for far too long. I was 21 years old when I started, as I was initially working away at sea, and it was part of the culture in the mid-80s. You just got drawn into it, it was part of being the crew, as they all smoked.
Before that I was into running, I don’t even know why I even started, but when I went out to pubs it was also part of the social life too.
I was influenced by others back then, and it was so much cheaper to smoke as well. You could get them on board the ship, duty free. Even when I worked on the docks, after leaving the Royal Navy, I could still get them cheaply, so I just carried on the habit.
I tried to stop before, 30 years ago, but it didn’t really last. I wasn’t very committed to be honest. I was still in my 30s, or late 20s, and being younger then, I didn’t think about how it would affect me later in life, you think you’re immortal at that age.
Then when vapes started coming out 10 years ago, I gave that a go, but that didn’t last - going cold turkey didn’t work either.
I first engaged with the stop smoking service a year ago, and I had patches and gum, but my willpower faded in time, so it didn’t stick.
I feel different this time though, it was the right time for me, given my age, and my recent NHS tests. I had a lung health check and I discovered that I have early signs of emphysema, which could develop into COPD, so I knew I needed to do something about it this time.
My dad smoked since he was 10 years old, and he gave up for his health too. He struggled to breathe eventually, and that really made me think.
I was starting to cough all the time, as my lung capacity was reduced. I was always cold, or unwell too. It really gave me the kick up the backside to carry on with the programme. Now it doesn’t take as long to get over infections as it used to. I feel more energised, and it’s having a positive effect on my mental health too.
I’m doing everything I can to be healthier now, and I’m going to start going to Park Run and cycling, to build up more exercise like I used to do. I’m 7 weeks smokefree now, and I’ve got to the point where I have more confidence to get out there and do things.
My SmokeFree Advisor Chelsea has been so supportive, I have a phone call or face to face appointment every week, and it feels different from when I’ve tried to quit before. It is an addiction, so the support is essential. It’s so hard to do cold turkey, so the support is vital for you to succeed.
Siemens have been so supportive and allowed me to leave work to attend the appointments, and my team leader, and all of my work colleagues, including Mike Batty have helped me too. They all understand health is important.
I read Mike’s story and knew I could do it as well, as we’ve all got the same challenges. It was somebody to look up to and made me want to commit as well!
All the team have been inspiring me to quit and asking how it’s going; it even gets a mention in the town hall meetings. I know there’s no going back now!
Even with the shift patterns at work, I was still able to get to my appointments, Chelsea was very accommodating, and there was always a time slot for me.
Chelsea would explain the risks of smoking, not in a frightening way, but being supportive. Telling me what can happen in later life. She has a nice attitude, and it’s almost like therapy. It put me in the right frame of mind to quit. The CO readings were great too, being able to visualise your lungs, turning from black to pink was a great resource, creating a picture in your mind of your lungs. At each stage that I passed, it helped keep my willpower up.
But I think you have to want to do it too. Willpower is a strong thing, whether you take products or go cold turkey, the willpower is the key, and you must have your own reasons for stopping.
It’s also down to your own family circumstances, as it’s harder if you don’t have the right support. It’s a long road to take, but you’re improving your length of life.>
I would recommend the service as it’s a plus for me. You have to make that first step, then get the support from SmokeFree Hull.>
Even society is changing, the government are trying to help people stop smoking, and there’s more of a focus on it. The benefits of quitting, out way anything else, or looking cool.