Sylvia
OneLife Suffolk client
I was referred from the hospital after being rushed in with heart failure. The hospital provided me with products to help and once I left, I was then supported by One Life Suffolk’s Stop Smoking Team. The shock of nearly dying gave me the push to want to stop smoking. I had been smoking 20 a day for 53 years.
The Stop Smoking Service provided me with products for 12 weeks and ongoing support on a one-to-one basis. I also used patches and lozenges to help, and over time I reduced these down to become nicotine free. I found the service very helpful and recommend it to anyone looking to stop.
My activity level has improved but I still have ongoing problems with my breathing due to COPD. I wish I had quit years ago.
I have also found financial benefit from quitting and have more spare money for treats.
I have been smoke free for 1 year and after a recent echo heart examination, my heart function has improved from 40% to over 70%.
Angela
OneLife Suffolk client
When I was smoking, three big factors that affected my everyday life was money, my health, and my moods.
Unfortunately, my dad has terminal cancer and I have to look after him. I am also on furlough due to Covid. I have a reduced income meaning I couldn’t really afford to smoke.
I feel over the moon and have had the best support I could ever imagine from my practitioner Tom. He is just fab! I also think the smoking tablet have helped a lot too.
I have tried to change my daily routines; where I would usually have a cigarette, I now fill the time by going on walks and baking a lot. I also decided to buy a vape with 0% nicotine liquid if I ever felt I needed something, however I rarely use it now as I don’t want it or usually forget I even have it.
Unfortunately, due to Covid, I have been unable to attend the meetings, however this has been replaced with regular phone calls which have helped massively. Thank you, Tom!
I am hoping once the tablets stop, I will carry on with this progress. I am so proud of myself; I do not see myself trying to go back to my old lifestyle.
I honestly didn’t think I would have the determination to be able to give up! I have gone from 20-30 cigarettes a day to nothing, and I rarely use my vape. I am surprised that this has been an easier process than I could have ever imagined.
Frances
OneLife Suffolk client
I had smoked since I was a teenager and was a relatively heavy smoker during my 20s – although mainly only smoking in the evenings and first thing in the morning. I easily quit during both my pregnancies and whilst breast feeding, but just as easily restarted. I convinced myself I wasn’t a smoker as I only smoked in the evenings once the children had gone to bed, but I was still smoking at least once a day if not more, especially if I had an alcoholic drink.
My main motivation for quitting was when I realised that I was kidding myself if I thought I wasn’t addicted to nicotine and that I wasn’t in control of my smoking habit, even if I had managed to convince myself for years that I was self-disciplined. I didn’t want my daughters seeing me smoking, disliked smelling of smoke, I enjoy running and doing yoga and didn’t want smoking to affect my fitness. I was also aware that at 41, I needed to start being kind to my skin. I spent most of the time pretending I didn’t smoke, or saying that I only smoked occasionally, and hated being hypocritical.
I have never felt supported before when trying to quit – Tom really talked through my habit with me first, understanding where my headspace was, before he suggested a course of action for me to try. All the way through the twelve-week programme I was on, it was good to know I had someone to discuss any issues and it also made me accountable for my actions.
I have managed to finally stop smoking. The biggest change is an acceptance that I now know I can never ever, smoke even one cigarette again – and interestingly, I have no desire to try having gone this length of time without smoking. I’m enjoying not smoking and being around others smoking strangely does not bother me at all. It is entirely my decision not to smoke and it’s not a big deal – in fact, I haven’t actually mentioned it to many people. This really has been a personal choice and not one I’m concerned with sharing. Quitting this time has made me very happy and therefore, I’m not needing to discuss it, as it hasn’t been a problem.
I’m really chuffed with myself for quitting!
It’s good to know I’ll have a follow up phone call from Tom in about 6 months, again helping the personal accountability attached to quitting and I definitely feel confident that I won’t try to start smoking once again.
It’s been a great experience that I wasn’t expecting to appreciate to this extent. Tom’s support has been hugely beneficial and I genuinely think OneLife has made a massive difference to my success in quitting smoking. The support programme OneLife offers should be more heavily advertised, as I had no idea this service existed, and I am very grateful it does as it has made a huge difference to my life. And hopefully my wrinkles.
Cliff
OneLife Suffolk Client
I came to OneLife Suffolk because of my health. I realised I needed to stop smoking and quickly. I take medication for angina, COPD, high blood pressure and cancer of the bladder. I found walking long distances a struggle and needed to stop to catch my breath quite frequently. I finally stopped working part-time at the age of 81 and with the support of my family and Onelife Suffolk Stop Smoking Practitioner, Chris, I have now been smoke-free for 7 months. I thought stopping smoking would be a challenge but to do it during a pandemic was an even bigger challenge – but I did it.
Whilst on the course I received quality support. During appointments we would discuss openly about smoking habits, triggers, coping tactics and the hand to mouth pleasure which was a habit for over 60 years. We would also have the odd conversation about golf, cricket, and fishing. I still receive regular telephone support from Chris and during lockdown I feel his calls have had a positive effect, not just on my quit attempt, but my overall wellbeing.
The impact it has had on my life since quitting smoking has been nothing but positive. I can walk for longer periods of time and at a faster pace without getting out of breath. The circulation in the bottom of my legs has improved and I can now sleep better. I am hoping to return to the golf course very soon. I feel without the support of the stop smoking service I would not have been able to do it. I would highly recommend the free service to anyone wanting to stop smoking. I feel great!
Thank you, Cliff.
Margaret
OneLife Suffolk client
I had suffered from COPD and recently came out of hospital before lockdown. I could only walk a few yards before getting out of breath as a smoker.
I care for my son who has a brain injury and life is always quite stressful, so quitting smoking hasn’t been easy during the pandemic. But the support from my OneLife practitioner, and my friends and family, has been fantastic.
I have finally quit; it’s been the greatest thing for me!
Gabe
OneLife Suffolk Client
I woke up one day and decided to quit. I had already attempted to give up many times and I even managed to stop once for 4 years. But every time I experienced a stressful event in my life, I always began smoking again.
With the help of OneLife Suffolk, I have been a non-smoker for 6 years after deciding it was ruling my life and health! This far in, I don’t crave a cigarette at all now and I don’t even like the smell of a cigarette. It has changed my life for the better.
Renita
OneLife Suffolk Client
When I realised I had symptoms related to being a smoker, I found a local stop smoking clinic. I used the patches and nicotine inhalator. I am so glad I have quit! The temptation is still there because I had smoked for a long time. It wasn’t easy but I followed the advice I got from my advisor and used Nicotine Replacement Therapy. That way there was no able to fail and I didn’t suffer cravings.
I haven’t had a cigarette since, and I would say good luck to anyone else thinking of giving up.
Abi
OneLife Suffolk Client, East Suffolk
“I wanted to stop smoking in preparation for me and my husband to have a baby. I joined a group instead of accessing one to one support and I found it invaluable. It was really encouraging listening to others share similar experiences whilst also gaining the support of my practitioner and using nicotine replacement therapy. Quitting was tough at times, but I am so proud. It will be one year in June and I have just given birth to a beautiful baby girl.
Thank you OneLife Suffolk!”
