Alex’s Story
“I never want my granddaughter to copy me smoking again” – Alex’s Stoptober quit story
For Alex, 58, from Darlington, the turning point in his 42-year smoking story came when he saw his 3-year-old granddaughter copying him.
Alex, who runs the family’s Savoury Café in Darlington, started smoking at just 16. Back then he was fit and active, running six miles a day, taking part in the Great North Run, and playing football. But like so many, he picked up cigarettes through friends – a few here and there which quickly built up to nearly 30 a day.
This year, Alex finally stopped. And he says life already feels so much better.
“I remember promising my daughter I’d stop smoking when my first grandchild was born. But she turned three in January this year and I was still smoking. Then we had another granddaughter, and still I hadn’t stopped.
“One day my daughter sent me a picture of little Ada with a pencil in her mouth, holding it like a cigarette – just copying me. I was mortified. She must have seen me smoking, remembered it, and started mimicking me. That was the moment I realised it had to stop.
“That’s how so many of us start smoking – we see it in others and copy it. I don’t want any of my grandchildren growing up around smoking, or ever taking it up themselves. I’m grateful that with the new law coming in, they won’t even be able to buy cigarettes when they grow up.”
Alex credits the local Stop Smoking Service in Darlington, and adviser Sarah, with helping him succeed.
“My wife Samantha went to a pop-up event in Darlington where they were offering free vapes if you signed up for support. Sarah from the Stop Smoking Service rang me, and she’s been brilliant. We speak every week and meet every couple of weeks for breath tests. The regular contact really helps.
“Sarah encouraged me to pick a stop date right away. I remember I had 13 cigarettes left in the garage – I didn’t smoke a single one of them.
“I’ve smoked for 42 years, so yes, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. My family and friends have been really supportive too. Now, instead of standing outside for a cigarette, I can enjoy time with them.”
Just months after stopping, Alex is already seeing the benefits.
“I feel great. I’m saving £300 to £400 a month – that’s money I’d literally have been burning away. It’s nicer for my wife, too – she says she enjoys kissing me more now I don’t smoke!
“People don’t understand that being self-employed can be stressful, but smoking never reduced my stress. It just made me crave another cigarette. I’ve realised it doesn’t solve problems – it creates them.
“Life is just better without smoking. I’m not storing up problems for later, and I know I’ll see even more benefits in the years ahead.”
Alex’s advice for Stoptober
This October, Stoptober is encouraging thousands of people across the North East to make a quit attempt together. For Alex, it’s the perfect opportunity to give stopping smoking a go.
“I would say to people who smoke – write down the benefits of smoking and then write down the benefits of not smoking. You’ll find you only have one list.
“Stoptober is a great time to set yourself a goal. If you don’t succeed straight away, try again. It’s about breaking the triggers and remembering that it’s an addiction, not just a habit.
“I’m so glad my granddaughters won’t ever see me smoking again. That’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself and my family.”