After starting smoking at just 13, Erene decided it was time to quit after losing family members to smoking-related illness. With support from her local stop smoking service, she made the decision to stop for good.

Erene had been smoking since she was 13 years old. Getting help and advice from her local stop smoking service helped her quit smoking.

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 and had tried to quit several times before.

Getting expert support from a stop smoking service helped her to finally beat her addiction.

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.”

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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

Get free stop smoking support from the local stop smoking service in your London borough. Or download the Smoke Free App to connect with a tobacco dependence advisor 24/7 and get stop smoking products delivered to your door.