Taking control - Christopher's story
Meet Christopher
Christopher accessed the One You Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster 'Be Tobacco Free' service after being referred by his GP, following worsening health linked to smoking. The service is delivered by our subsidiary health and wellbeing company, Reed Wellbeing, which has been helping people to improve their health for more than a decade.
Before starting his quit journey, Christopher explained that he was smoking heavily each day and had done so for some time:
Before quitting smoking, I was generally smoking between 30 to 40 cigarettes per day.
I’ve tried to quit smoking on two separate occasions with some support. I did manage a year one time, and the other time was about three months. At work there were a lot of people who smoked, and I struggled with not being around them. I think it was more the habit, what to do with my hands.
The desire to quit was there, but it was that fear of 'what am I going to do?' The desire to quit was brought in a lot more by my health conditions exacerbating. I felt the time was right.
Our support
The One You KCW 'Be Tobacco Free' service provides free, personalised support to help people stop smoking. Through a structured 12-week programme, participants receive regular check-ins, tailored advice, and access to stop-smoking aids, helping them stay on track and build confidence.
Christopher said:
I was referred to One You and did my assessment. I found it very relaxing, the support was there, but most things were left up to me. I’d tried patches, mints and chewing gum before, but this time I was offered a vape as well, and I’ve found that has massively helped.
Merrick from One You has been really supportive, he’s very relaxed. He makes me relaxed, and nothing is pushed on me, it’s all been my choices. The support’s there, but it’s not forced on me.
One You is easy to contact. You’re given a 12-week programme - the first six weeks are weekly calls, then it can change depending on what works for you. The support and different items I’ve been given have really helped—and there’s been no cost for any of it.
Moving forward
With the support of the service, Christopher has been successful in quitting smoking. This time, he says, it feels long-term:
One of the biggest differences is I no longer say to people that I’ve quit smoking - I just say I don’t smoke. It leaves me a lot more confident. First thing in the morning used to be terrible: straight out of bed and onto a cigarette, coughing. Now I get up, make a coffee, and there’s no rush. It’s so nice.
The thing I’m most proud of is that this time feels different.
If anyone is thinking of quitting, I’d definitely recommend getting support. Just having someone to listen to you, it’s really helped me. I’d definitely recommend One You. There’s been no pressure at all this time, it just feels good.
