Quitting smoking after serious health challenges - John's story
Meet John
John was referred to the Quit Smoking Stoke service by his GP following a stroke and an aortic aneurysm. Having smoked for many years, John had never previously tried to quit, but the impact of his recent health issues motivated him to make a significant change.
Determined to improve his health and reduce future risks, John decided he was ready to stop smoking and sought support to help him achieve his goal.
It was a habit, and I had smoked for years. But because of recent health issues, I wanted to quit and stay quit. Switching to a vape and the chats with my Health Coach helped me the most. The weekly check-ins really helped at the start and the constant support made it easier for me to stick to my quit plan.
Our support
Quit Smoking Stoke is a free stop smoking service that helps people quit smoking for good through personalised support and evidence-based interventions. The service is provided by Reed Wellbeing and is delivered by qualified Health Coaches who work with individuals to create tailored quit plans, set achievable goals and access the right tools and support to help them succeed.
Fully qualified Health Coaches provide one-to-one personalised support to help participants make a quit plan and set a quit date. Our Health Coaches can advise on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and prescribe quit aids such as gums, patches and inhalators.
For John, a combination of regular coaching support and switching to a vape played an important role in helping him maintain his commitment to quitting. Ongoing encouragement and accountability through weekly check-ins helped him stay focused during the early stages of his quit journey.
The service is designed to be flexible and accessible, offering support in a way that works best for each individual. Reed Wellbeing offers remote appointments via the telephone, Face Time, Microsoft Teams or Zoom. Face to face support could be offered on an individualised basis based on individual needs.
Moving forward
With the support of the service, John successfully stopped smoking. Alongside the health benefits of becoming smoke free, he has also experienced financial benefits, allowing him to spend money on things he needs rather than cigarettes.
Reflecting on his experience, John praised the support he received throughout his quit journey.
I have had no issues whilst on the service and have appreciated all the support that I have received. I have stopped smoking for 12 weeks and I have been able to save money since quitting which I now use to buy things I need instead of buying cigarettes.
By taking the decision to quit and accessing personalised support, John has made a positive change for his health and wellbeing, giving him the confidence to remain smoke free in the future.
