How Steve quit smoking after almost 60 years

Steve, a 71 year old retiree from Milton Keynes, had been a smoker for nearly 60 years. Starting at just 13, smoking became a lifelong habit. Steve classed himself as a heavy smoker, smoking 30 – 40 roll ups a day.

Over the years, Steve developed COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), suffered frequent chest infections, and experienced circulation issues, including DVT (deep vein thrombosis).  Despite his health challenges, he described life as ‘happily plodding along’, until a series of health diagnoses, including lymphoma, encouraged Steve to make a change.

Why Steve turned to Choose You for stop smoking support

Steve had tried to quit before and had been smoke free for ten months, but like many, he relapsed and started smoking again. Years later, a message from his GP surgery introduced him to a local drop in session with Jane from Choose You.

“It popped up on my phone and I thought, you need to do something about this.”

How Choose you helped Steve quit smoking

Meeting Jane was a turning point. She introduced Steve to a range of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), including patches, vapes, and inhalators. After 58 years of smoking, Steve’s expectations of giving up were limited, “you think, I’m never gonna give up”.

Jane was helpful, she listened, and arranged everything that Steve needed:

“Jane motivated me to dive off the board and take the plunge. We met weekly in person, which I found incredibly helpful. There were some wobbles, but Jane was there.  She said, ‘phone me if you need me’. Having someone there to talk to made all the difference.”

The benefits of quitting smoking with local support

Now 224 days smoke free, Steve is breathing easier, coughing less, and feeling proud of his progress:

“I used to wheeze like an old steam train at night, and that’s better now. And the smell, it gets into your clothes, you don’t notice till it’s gone. I also have a lot more money, that’s for sure!”

Steve’s advice for others thinking about quitting smoking

Steve is now celebrating in 50 day milestones and remembers being “ecstatic at 10 days smoke free”. 224 days later, he’s optimistic for his next milestone and would recommend Choose You to anyone trying to quit:

“Make that decision, and talk to a stop smoking counsellor. There will be failures, but you’ve got to keep trying. You’ve got to not give up on giving up. Without Jane, I couldn’t have done it; it wasn’t just my journey, it was ours.”

Ready to quit? We’re here to help.

You’re three times more likely to quit smoking with expert support than by going it alone. Read more about the support from Choose You, including one to one guidance from experienced advisors and stop smoking medications tailored to your needs.