Luke has quit smoking with the support of Yorkshire Smokefree in Barnsley. We caught up with him for a quick Q&A where he shared his stop smoking journey...
Hi Luke. What were your reasons for stopping smoking?
I am young enough to make changes to my life and become a healthy role model for my children. I want to be fitter, healthier and enjoy my life.
Have you stopped smoking previously?
Yes, I have tried stopping in the past and I did struggle by doing it on my own. I went back to smoking.
Before your first appointment, did you believe you would be successful?
Yes, I felt ready enough to give it my all.
Did you use stop smoking medication to help you quit and what did you use?
I chose to use patches and an inhalator and found both very helpful. They worked well for me. The support is great too!
Apart from medication, what else helped you to quit and stay smokefree?
The support is great, talking to the advisor every week and letting them know how I have been doing is so helpful. I am also back to the gym.
What do you like the most about being a non-smoker / quit?
Saving money. I am now in control of the cigs. They have been controlling everything I do.
Has your health improved since your quit and if so, in what ways?
Massively my beathing. I wake up feeling so much better. I have cut down on my coffee intake too.
Other than health, have you achieved anything since quitting that you couldn’t do whilst smoking?
I have increased my fitness, and my mindset is so positive. The sense of achievement is so rewarding. I feel more empowered.
What have you found helpful whilst accessing Yorkshire Smokefree service?
The patches and talking to my advisor about my achievements and co readings. It really helped having someone who was there for me throughout my quit.
Could you give us a quote about your experience of becoming smokefree that may help others to take the same step.
"It's never too late to try stopping. There's always support!"
