For Robert, quitting smoking wasn't something he had planned. It was an unexpected stay in hospital that gave him the opportunity to break free from cigarettes for good.
While he was in hospital, Robert was unable to smoke and was offered nicotine patches to help manage his cravings. At first, he fully expected to return to smoking when he was discharged. However, as his hospital stay became much longer than anticipated due to the seriousness of his illness, his perspective began to change.
"When I finally came home, I thought, if I've managed to go this long without smoking, why not carry on being smokefree?"
Shortly after returning home, Robert received a call from Yorkshire Smokefree in Barnsley offering support to help him stay on track. He accepted the offer, and says it made all the difference.
Although he had tried to stop smoking once or twice in the past, those attempts had only lasted a few days before he returned to cigarettes. This time felt different.
Being seriously unwell made Robert realise how important it was to look after his health, and he was determined not to waste the opportunity he had been given.
Throughout his quit journey, Robert found strength not only from the Yorkshire Smokefree team but also from his family.
"My mum has helped me stay on track because of how unwell I was. She wants me to be as healthy as I can, and I know she'd never forgive me if I started smoking again."
Since quitting, Robert has noticed significant improvements in both his health and everyday life. He says his breathing is much better, and he feels cleaner, both personally and in his home and car. telling his advisor:
"I like the fact that I've saved so much money by not buying cigarettes anymore, and I can breathe so much better."
The financial savings have been another welcome benefit, giving Robert even more motivation to remain smokefree.
Looking back, Robert says the face-to-face support he received from his Yorkshire Smokefree advisor, Sarah, was invaluable.
"Sarah really listened to me and helped me stay on track. Having those face-to-face appointments made a huge difference."
Today, Robert hopes his story will encourage others who are thinking about quitting to reach out for support.
"When you want to stop smoking, help and support are there for you when you're ready."
Robert's story is proof that it's never too late to quit. Sometimes an unexpected event can become the turning point that changes your life, and with the right support, staying smokefree is possible.
