As Stoptober launches, NHS Lanarkshire’s is encouraging those who are considering quitting smoking to take the first step toward a smoke-free life – with tailored support from it’s Quit Your Way service.
The team consists of friendly advisers who offer confidential help to anyone who wants to stop smoking, even if they have tried before. Those who contact the service can expect practical advice, one-to-one support and access to free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) including lozenges, patches and gum. The service has already helped thousands of local people to quit for good – including staff within NHS Lanarkshire itself.
To mark Stoptober, hear from two local people who quit smoking with support from Quit Your Way and find out how they found the experience:
Paul Morley, from Airdrie, said: “I’m so glad the team have been able to help me. I attend the face-to-face session every week where I meet my stop smoking adviser, Michelle. She has all the time in the world for me, we chat and I get my co2 reading every week which holds me accountable. I feel great leaving the clinic every week because it’s another week without a cigarette.
“I’ve been able to save the £120 a month that I would spend on cigarettes and haven’t smoked for 8 weeks now. My cough is clearing up, I’ve got more energy – my family have commented they’ve never saw me so healthy looking.
“I’ve tried to stop before, going cold turkey or vaping. To be honest with you though the time wasn’t right, it was one step at a time. My Mum and Dad passed away in recent years quite close together, so I felt a bit lost and drank more than I used to. I’ve been off alcohol for a year now. People need to do it for themselves when they are ready. I want to make my Mum and Dad proud of me even though they’re not here anymore.
“I started smoking in first year in high school on and off through the years, I’m 60 next year so we’re all going to London. I’m able to get myself nicer things with the money I’m saving. A huge thank you.”
Peter Fanning, from Coatbridge, said: “I had quit with the service previously with their telephone support and lasted a year. I had lost a couple of mates and started smoking again. I came back to the service and went to their face-to-face clinics.
“For me, the weekly, face-to-face contact made it easier to go in every week and I was able to see their reaction and seen how supportive they were. Knowing there was someone there every week that I could speak to and say how hard it is when I was struggling for a cigarette, it made the difference for me, as they understood and sympathised.
“I’m on week 17, there is still times where I struggle still wanting a cigarette when I’m stressed or under pressure. I use the patches and the inhalator which helped me still being able to do something with my hand, both I got through the service free. I also needed to get out the routine of smoking as well as I’d have one every morning with my coffee.
“I reckon I’m saving about £200-£250 a month. I’ve redecorated some rooms in my house, I would smoke in the same room of the house, and the carpet was discoloured from smoke so I’ve put in a new one. Me and my wife have been on 4 local trips with the money I’ve saved. It’s given me peace of mind that I’m not counting down to payday every month.
“If I didn’t go to the clinic and met Linda my adviser, I don’t think I would have gave up smoking.”
Contact the service:
To find out about the stop smoking services and to access the best support to quit in your area call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 between Monday and Friday from 9am until 5pm or visit The NHS Lanarkshire Quit Your Way webpage.
You can now use our ‘Click to be Contacted’ service, select your local or nearest area, leave your name, preferred contact method and we will be in touch with you.
