After starting smoking at 13 years old, Erene knew she had to quit when she lost close family members as a result of smoking. Following one visit to her local stop smoking clinic, Erene was determined to never smoke again.
Erene quit smoking after a 60-year-long addiction thanks to the support and advice at her local stop smoking service.
Erene, who lives in Lambeth, started smoking at 13 years old.
“That was the done thing then,” she said, “to sneak out and have a smoke with your friends. We didn’t realise how bad it was.”
Erene’s mum, dad, brother, sister and friends all smoked at this time – it was the norm in Erene’s life to have a packet of cigarettes in your bag.
After seeing firsthand what impact smoking can have, Erene decided to quit.
It took her several attempts to quit for good. Feeling lonely and down would lead Erene back to smoking but after one face-to-face visit with her local stop smoking clinic, Erene was determined never to touch a cigarette again.
Erene had been smoking since she was 13 years old and had tried to quit several times without success.
Getting expert support from a stop smoking service helped her to finally conquer her addiction and quit for good.
Smoking affected Erene’s life in many ways
Erene smoked for around 60 years.
“I had this real gruff voice directly from smoking and the smell of your hair, your clothes, everything.
“In 1978, I had two Polyps removed out of my throat directly caused by smoking. From then I was determined to stop smoking. It wasn’t easy to give up smoking.”
Erene’s loved ones were also impacted by smoking. Erene sadly lost her mum, brother, sister and nephew as a result of smoking.
“I’ve lost a lot of people to smoking. My father lost both his legs from smoking, he had hardening of the arteries. My brother too – he died early.”
You are 3x more likely to stop smoking when you combine stop smoking aids such as NRT or a vape with behavioural support offered by a stop smoking service.
“I went to the smoking clinic. The young lady there, Christina, was ever so helpful. And it took me, I’d say a good three months before I stopped.
Erene’s journey to smokefree wasn’t easy
“It wasn’t easy to give up smoking, because I was here on my own whenever I would get upset I would reach for a cigarette. So it took me quite a few times to try and stop.
“I went to the smoking clinic. The young lady there, Christina, was ever so helpful. And it took me, I’d say a good three months before I stopped.
“I actually feel very, very good – I can walk, I can smell the flowers.
“I really feel since I stopped smoking that I have a better life and I’ll celebrate my 80th birthday without a cigarette – how about that!”
You can quit smoking with professional help
Trying to stop smoking can be hard and that’s why Stop Smoking London provide a number of professional services to support you.
Smokers can also access free stop smoking support from your local London borough.
You can receive free stop smoking support messages by visiting Stop Smoking London and signing up for the service here.
For Londoners, Stop Smoking London also offers a free, dedicated phone programme to help you quit for good.
Stop Smoking London also has a wide range of free resources, videos and guides by ex-smokers. Visit our website today to receive free expert support to help you quit smoking for good.
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