Lynne’s Story

I was what I’d call a heavy smoker. I smoked around 40 cigarettes a day, and my whole life revolved around them. I’d wake up in the morning and have three cigarettes before the kettle even boiled. I smoked walking to work, I smoked on every break, and all I thought about was when I could have my next cigarette.

I smoked everywhere. In bed. In the bath. All over the house. At the time, I absolutely loved smoking. I didn’t see the harm because it was just part of who I was.

I worked as an Assistant Practitioner Nurse then, and years ago it wasn’t restricted like it is now. I’d nip off to the toilets for a cigarette and go straight back onto the ward. Looking back, I can’t even imagine the smell — especially with patients coming back from theatre. At the time, I didn’t notice it at all. When you smoke that much, you don’t.

I tried to quit a few times, but I always failed. I even tried hypnosis through the NHS, but it didn’t work for me. The honest truth is that I wasn’t fully committed. I’d still keep cigarettes “just in case”. Mentally, I wasn’t ready.

The real turning point came when my grandchildren were born.

When my first grandchild arrived, something just clicked. I didn’t want to smoke around them. I didn’t want them breathing in my smoke or carrying the smell of cigarettes because of me. They were babies — they hadn’t chosen that.

It also made me realise I wanted more from life. I didn’t just want to survive — I wanted to live. I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up, get married, and live their lives. Until then, I’d never really thought about living longer for myself. But I did for them.

My family history was never far from my mind either. My dad smoked all his life and died a terrible death from COPD. He struggled to breathe, but still wanted a cigarette. Watching that was horrendous. I knew I never wanted my grandchildren to see me like that.

So my husband and I made a decision together. We said: that’s it. No more cigarettes.

This time really was different — partly because there is so much more support available now than there ever used to be. There are more ways to quit than ever before, and you don’t have to do it alone.

I reached out to my  local stop smoking service after seeing a leaflet on the hospital wall. I got proper, non‑judgemental support: weekly appointments, nicotine patches, and someone who was there when things felt tough. My advisor was incredible. If I struggled during the week, I could ring her — and I did.

When cravings hit, she reminded me why I’d stopped. “Think of the kids,” she’d say. And that worked.

I remember going for a carbon monoxide test and being devastated when it showed a reading of nine, even though I hadn’t smoked. It turned out to be traffic fumes — and when it finally read zero, I was over the moon. I didn’t want to let my advisor down. I wanted her to know I was doing this properly.

I completed a 12‑week course, and once the decision was made in my head, I never went back — even when life got hard. Quitting was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but when you’re ready and you have the right support, it is possible.

That was 20 years ago, and I’ve never had another cigarette.

Since quitting, everything has changed. My health is so much better. I used to get constant chest infections — I haven’t had one since I stopped smoking. I don’t cough, my clothes don’t smell, and neither do I.

And the money still shocks me. With what we saved, my husband and I went on a once‑in‑a‑lifetime Caribbean cruise. Even now, we use the money we would have spent on cigarettes to actually enjoy life.

Today, I work for South Tees Stop Smoking Service, and honestly, it’s my dream job. I get to tell my story and help people who believe they’ll never be able to quit — because that was me.

People sometimes say, “You? You used to smoke?” And I love that, because it shows them it really is possible. I’m just a normal person, and that’s why people relate to me.I’m also really hopeful about the future.

With the Smoke‑free Generation Bill now passed, there’s a real chance to protect the next generation from ever becoming addicted to smoking in the first place. As a grandmother, that matters deeply to me. I don’t want my grandchildren — or anyone else’s — to ever start smoking.

The message I always share is simple: If I can do it, anybody can.

There’s no such thing as “can’t” or “never”. There are more ways to quit than ever before, more support available, and no right or wrong way to do it — just the way that works for you. When you’re ready, and with the right help, you really can quit.