“I smoked for over 50 years – now I feel healthier and I’m going abroad for the first time.”
Malcolm Davis started smoking at 14 and continued for more than 50 years. Living in Hartlepool and working outdoors on building sites, smoking became part of everyday life. But after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia – and remembering the advice from a recent Portable Lung Health Check – he realised it was time to stop.
“I couldn’t smoke in hospital, and they encouraged me to contact the stop smoking service. That’s what got me going,” he said.
Malcolm was referred into the Hartlepool Specialist Stop Smoking Service, where he received free one‑to‑one behavioural support for 12 weeks. Advisers also offered Nicotine Replacement Therapy* and free access to vapes to help manage cravings.
“The support was brilliant,” Malcolm said. “Every time I went in, I blew into the CO monitor and the numbers kept dropping. My first reading was really high, but it went down every week until it reached zero. They were over the moon, and so was I. I don’t think I could have done it without them.
“Having my family behind me made all the difference – their support kept me going every single day.”
Since quitting, Malcolm said the change to his health has been huge: “I’ve hardly needed my inhalers, I’m not searching for cigarettes all the time, and my kids say I look better. My bungalow doesn’t smell of smoke anymore either.”
He’s also more active now: “I’ve got a pedal exerciser I use while watching TV and a vibration plate for my feet. I do my exercises twice a day now. Before, I wasn’t doing much at all – now I’m motivated.”
And with the money saved, Malcolm is looking forward to something he’s never done before. He said: “I’m going to Spain this year – my first time abroad. I’ve already got my clothes ready.”
Malcolm now encourages others in Hartlepool to try the support he used: “Just get in touch with the stop smoking service and go and see an adviser. They’re brilliant. Once you get into it and find your determination, you can do it. I even told a friend about it – he joined the service and quit too.”
He describes the service as life‑changing: “Everyone was polite, lovely, and supportive. I actually enjoyed going, and it got me out of the house too.”
If you live in Hartlepool and want help to stop smoking, you can speak to trained advisers at the Hartlepool Specialist Stop Smoking Service by calling 01642 383819, or contact the wider local stop smoking support team on 01429 272905 for free, friendly help tailored to you.
* NRT may have a prescription cost unless someone is exempt or uses a prepayment certificate