Peter from Bridgwater shares how a heart attack at the age of 77 became the moment he realised it was never too late to quit smoking.
I smoked cigarettes for over 50 years. I always knew it was a rather silly thing to do. I only started because I was surrounded by smokers while working in a foreign city when I was quite young.
I always meant to quit, but the time never quite seemed right. It was easy to find excuses not to give up.
As I got older, I told myself the damage had already been done. That may have been partly true, but it was no reason not to stop immediately. I also came to realise that smoking was a ‘hobby’ that gave me absolutely nothing to show for a huge cost.
What finally made me stop was a heart attack at the age of seventy‑seven. I realised that if I didn’t quit straight away, the chances were I would have another heart attack soon, and that would probably be the end of both me and my smoking career.
After coming out of hospital, I was lucky enough to be invited to join the Smokefree Somerset group in Bridgwater. I’ve attended the weekly meetings ever since, and I do so with real enthusiasm.
The sessions help in so many ways. Sarah, the Smokefree pracitioner, is the absolute personification of calm, kindness and support. Listening to other people’s experiences is both motivating and reassuring, and it’s incredibly helpful to talk openly with people who face similar challenges.
Looking back, I wish I’d tried to stop smoking years ago instead of convincing myself to wait. What I’ve learned is simple: the best time to give up smoking is always now.
Ready to take the first step or support someone you care about?
If you or someone you know, has been thinking about stopping smoking, our free Smokefree Somerset service are here to help you find the best solution to quit for good. Please visit our contact us page for details about how to get in touch.
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