My name is Christopher, I’m 67 years old and I smoked for 50 years. In 2025, I went for a lung scan. Although the results came back clear, it was a real wake-up call and made me think seriously about my health and my future. That’s when I decided it was time to quit smoking.
I joined a stop smoking group and started using nicotine replacement products to help manage cravings. While I didn’t rely heavily on support from friends or family, the stop smoking group and my own determination helped me get started on my quit journey. Within a week of joining the group, I had stopped smoking. More than five months later, I had saved over £2,000 and was still going strong.
Like many people who quit, I faced challenges along the way. Weight gain and the temptation to return to smoking were the biggest hurdles. However, focusing on improving my health and attending the support group helped me stay on track.
One thing that really helped was keeping busy. Instead of automatically reaching for nicotine replacement products, I found other ways to stay occupied and motivated. Over time, I gradually reduced my reliance on them and built confidence in my ability to stay smokefree.
The benefits of quitting have been remarkable. I can breathe more easily, food tastes better and I can smell things more clearly. My clothes and teeth feel fresher, and even my dentist noticed the difference. At home, we’ve started redecorating what used to be the smoking room and turning it back into a dining room, something that would never have happened when I was still smoking.
The most rewarding part of quitting has been improving my health and seeing the money I’ve saved. If you’re thinking about quitting, my advice is simple: make sure you’re in the right mindset and consider joining a stop smoking group. The journey isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. If I can quit after 50 years of smoking, so can you. Just keep going and don’t give up.
Christopher, 67, from Yeovil
What’s your story?
Everyone’s smokefree journey is different.
Whether you’re thinking about quitting, cutting down, just getting started or have been smokefree for years, your experience could help inspire someone else to take their first step.
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