Kevin, aged 62, began smoking at 18 and at his peak was consuming up to 80 cigarettes daily. Motivated by his family and concerns for his future health, he decided to quit.
He described the physical toll smoking took, stating, "Smoking didn't make me feel great. I woke up every day with a cough and struggled to walk up the stairs. I was gasping for breath and worried about my health." Kevin believes quitting has significantly extended his life expectancy.
Kevin's New Year's resolution in 2025 led him to smoke his last cigarette on December 31st. With support from the York Health Trainers Stop Smoking Service, he used nicotine patches and a vape. He noted, "The support made a huge difference. Within two weeks I already felt much better."
He added, "As soon as you quit, you get a big part of your life back. I feel so much healthier now and I'm determined that this time I'll never smoke again."
Kevin is now supporting Stoptober, the national campaign promoting a 28-day quit attempt, which research indicates increases the likelihood of quitting for good. Benefits of quitting include improved breathing, increased energy, and financial savings.
“"Kevin's story shows that it's never too late to quit smoking and start seeing the benefits."
Councillor Lucy Steels-Walshaw highlighted the accessibility of support, stating, "Stoptober is a great opportunity to take that first step. Quitting smoking isn't always easy, but you don't have to do it alone. Our Health Trainers offer friendly, free and non-judgemental support."
“"I want people to know that they don't have to tackle quitting alone. There are different ways to get support and it's about finding what works for you."
Dr Emma Hardy emphasised that every attempt counts and Stoptober offers a chance to try again with support. York residents can access free one-to-one support from the York Health Trainers Stop Smoking Service, which offers expert advice and helps people access aids like nicotine replacement products and vapes.
Additionally, individuals can receive six months of free access to the Smoke Free app, providing support for cravings, health and financial monitoring, and 24/7 expert chat. This also includes free stop smoking aids worth up to £300. Further information is available via the Smoke Free app or by searching for York Health Trainers Stop Smoking Service.
