After trying her first cigarette at 11 years old, Olivette was addicted to tobacco and became a heavy smoker by the time she turned 18.

I was diagnosed with COPD and lung cancer from smoking

After trying her first cigarette at 11 years old, Olivette was addicted to tobacco and became a heavy smoker by the time she turned 18.

Following decades of smoking and suffering various health conditions, Olivette was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer in quick succession.

This devasting news was the turning point for Olivette, who with the support of her family, gave up smoking for good.

Olivette became addicted to smoking from a young age

Olivette grew up in Jamaica before moving to London at 11. She had started smoking as a child and lived in a household where secondhand smoke was common.

By 18, Olivette was addicted to smoking and would reach for a cigarette at different points throughout the day – after dinner, after a drink, when getting up in the morning. Smoking became part of her daily routine.

Olivette had breathing problems from smoking

Olivette’s breathing was badly affected because of smoking. She struggled from a shortness of breath, would find everyday tasks hard and leaving the house became difficult as lung damage began to affect her daily life.

She was diagnosed with COPD and was given home oxygen apparatus to help her.

She said: “I now have home oxygen apparatus to help me with my breathing when I leave the house. It’s so heavy and after a while, it becomes a burden. I can’t go outside without it.

“I struggle when I get to the top of the street. Every two minutes I have to stop to catch my breath.”

Smoking causes lung cancer

Smoking causes around 7 out of every 10 cases of lung cancer with smokers losing 6 hours of healthy life each day they smoke after the age of 30.

Olivette was also diagnosed with lung cancer from smoking. She was advised by her consultant that quitting smoking was the best thing she could do for her health.

“I realised that I now had two very serious health conditions – my breathing and lung cancer. I needed to give up smoking now if I wanted to continue living.”

On average, smokers tend to lose 10 years of life compared to non-smokers. The sooner you quit, you reduce your risk of lung cancer and your body can begin recovering.

How did Olivette quit smoking?

“I decided to give up the smoking, once and for all. I put myself to the test – am I strong enough, have I got the will, have I got the power?

“My breathing has really changed. When I first gave up completely after two weeks I thought ‘Wow, it’s like my chest expands a bit more and I’m feeling so good’.

“All my friends and my family are very proud of me. My house doesn’t smell of cigarettes any more, it just smells fresh and nice.

“If I give any advice to anyone who wants to give up smoking, all you can do is try.

You can do no more than try and just believe in yourself. Like how you believe you’re going to smoke it, believe you don’t have to smoke it no more.”

How have ex-smokers quit?

You can get free help from Stop Smoking London.

We’ve helped thousands of people over the years to quit smoking and we know that everyone’s journey to giving up is different.

You’re three times as likely to quit successfully with free expert help and ongoing support offered by your local Stop Smoking Service.

Find your nearest local stop smoking service.

Sign up for the free text messaging service here.

Call the free Stop Smoking London Helpline.

Access helpful guides, read success stories from ex-smokers and use free resources.