Donna recently stopped smoking with the support of Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley, using a combination of telephone and face-to-face appointments. At the end of her 12 week journey her carbon monoxide reading was 1 - confirming she is now officially smoke-free! We asked her to share her thoughts with us and here's what she told us...
What were your reasons for stopping smoking?
I wanted to stop for several reasons; my health in particular because I had a brain tumour and severe arthritis, and I thought the only thing I could do was to stop smoking. I also have 5 grandchildren who I want to spend more time with, and of course to save money.
Have you stopped smoking previously?
Yes many times.
Before your first appointment, did you believe you would be successful?
Yes, I was determined to quit.
Did you use stop smoking medication to help you quit and what did you use?
I used an e-cigarette
How helpful did you find this product?
It was really helpful.
Apart from medication, what else helped you to quit and stay smokefree?
I had a positive frame of mind and stuck to my face-to-face appointments. Blowing in the co monitor is a great incentive. It was recording carbon monoxide levels of 38 in my first appointment and now it’s 1!
What do you like the most about being a non-smoker / quit?
I've no cough and I feel like I have lots more energy.
Has your health improved since your quit and if so, in what ways?
I feel like I'm breathing much better and my levels of tiredness has improved. I was really exhausted before.
Other than health, have you achieved anything since quitting that you couldn’t do whilst smoking?
Yes, I'm enjoying being able to spend money on things I like, and this includes taking the grandkids out to shows and new places for days out.
What have you found helpful whilst accessing Yorkshire Smokefree service?
Being able talk to the advisor about things was helpful. Being spurred on and encouraged is important to me.
Donna rounded off her Q&A session with a really inspiring quote that her advisor wants to share with others:
