Peter lit his first cigarette when he was just fifteen, a teenager at school who thought smoking was part of growing up. One cigarette became another, and before long it was a habit that stayed with him for more than fifty years. Day after day, he rolled up thirty or forty cigarettes, convinced he could handle it. And for a long time, he did - he stayed active, worked hard, and carried on with life as if smoking wasn’t holding him back.
But time has a way of catching up. As Peter grew older, the signs became harder to ignore. His breathing grew heavier, his chest tighter, and his legs weaker. When a specialist told him he might need stents fitted, Peter realised the truth; smoking was no longer something he could live with. It was something he had to leave behind.
This time, he wasn’t alone. His wife stood beside him, ready to quit too. Together, they made the decision to stop. It wasn’t easy - Peter had tried before, even with hypnotherapy, but always slipped back. What made the difference now was the support he received. After a chest infection brought him to Wombwell Medical Centre, a nurse suggested he try the Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley service. Peter took the advice, and it changed everything.
The service gave Peter more than just advice. It gave him encouragement, guidance, and the confidence to believe he could succeed. He felt listened to, supported at every step, and motivated by the team’s dedication. That support helped him stay on track and finally break free from a habit that had defined most of his life.
He describes it simply:
The changes came quickly. His chest felt clearer, his breathing easier. He could walk further without discomfort, and his energy returned. He noticed his skin looked younger, and the nicotine stains that had marked his hands for decades were gone. Peter no longer needs Stents fitting too. Beyond health, there were other rewards too - money saved from not buying cigarettes every day, and peace of mind from a fire safety check and alarm fitted through a referral via the stop smoking service.
Now, Peter feels proud. He knows fifty years is a long time to be smoking, but he also knows it’s never too late to stop. He’s healthier, happier, and financially better off. Most of all, he’s free.
Peter’s message to others is simple:
“I feel a lot better, breathe easier, and I have saved money too.”
