Ex-smoker's life transformed thanks to Quit Stop Wirral campaign

Sep 2 2010

A WOMAN who thought she would never be able to quit smoking says her life has been transformed thanks to NHS Wirral’s Quit Stop Wirral campaign.

Lisa Smith, a care assistant from Birkenhead, made a snap decision to kick the habit for good after catching sight of the scheme’s mobile trailer in the town centre.

She said: “I’ve smoked for years and always wanted to quit. I had tried a few times but never managed it – I felt like I’d never be able to do it. But the support I’ve been given by Quit Stop Wirral is great. There’s always someone at the end of the phone to give you support and I’ve been off the cigarettes for four weeks now.”

As well as offering advice and support to smoke-free hopefuls through its mobile offices, Quit Stop Wirral also has a website and dedicated Facebook page to give its users extra help.

Lisa said: “The Facebook page is really good – it means I can chat to people who are also trying to give up and we can support each other, because we are all going through the same thing.”

The 31-year-old says she is proud of herself for managing to stay smoke free for a month, despite going through a stressful few weeks.

She added: “My mum has been in hospital with heart problems and I thought the stress would make me want to start smoking again, but I’ve managed to keep off it. My mum has now decided she’s going to quit too and I’ve signed her up to the programme. Both her and my dad have heart problems and they have both smoked all their lives.

“By quitting, I’m reducing my risk of having heart problems too and I’m hoping the rest of my family will think if I can do it, so can they.”

Lisa’s family will also reap the benefits of her combatting the habit, particularly her 16- year-old son, who suffers from asthma. She said: “My partner quit a couple of years ago and since then I’ve not been able to smoke in the house anyway. It’s really nice coming home to a house that doesn’t smell of smoke. My life has totally changed since giving up – things taste and smell different, I can walk or climb stairs without getting out of breath and my whole attitude has completely changed. I feel much more positive and it’s all thanks to the scheme.

“I’m convinced I would still be smoking now if I hadn’t spotted the van in town that day.”

Tell us your experience here