These case studies highlight the courage, resilience and determination of individuals who transformed their lives through their stop smoking journey. Names are changed to protect identity.
Lynn: Rebuilding a life and finding self‑belief
Lynn came to the stop smoking service with a long history of severe childhood abuse, homelessness, addiction and exploitation. Smoking had become her constant coping mechanism, and she believed it was the only thing keeping her steady, with an initial CO reading of 25, consistent with a heavy smoker.
Through weekly face‑to‑face support, small achievable goals and links with other agencies, Lynn gradually reduced her smoking, learned to manage her triggers and found new ways to cope with anxiety. Quitting smoking became a turning point: she started going to the gym, reconnected with her children and began to see herself as strong and capable, rather than defined by her past.
Lynn is now smoke free, looking for voluntary work and building a future she once felt she did not deserve.
“Quitting smoking showed me I wasn’t broken. If I could change that one thing, I realised I could change my whole life.”
Amir: Regaining strength, hope and control
Amir arrived in the UK as a refugee, living with a serious foot injury, chronic pain and the fear he might lose his foot. Isolated, worried about family abroad and unable to walk comfortably, he relied on smoking to cope, with a CO reading of 19.
The service supported Amir in his first language, helping him feel safe, understood and able to share his worries. He attended weekly face‑to‑face sessions, reduced his smoking step by step and received help to adapt his living space so he could sleep, cook and wash more easily downstairs. As he cut down and then stopped smoking, his breathing, sleep and mood improved, and he felt more in control of his life.
Amir is now smoke free and continuing his physical recovery with renewed confidence. He has also begun gently influencing his friends and community to think differently about smoking.
“I thought smoking was the only thing helping me survive the pain. But stopping gave me my strength back and my hope.”
Sofia: Escaping abuse and reclaiming her future
Sofia, a psychology graduate, came to the service after years of domestic abuse that had left her confidence shattered. Smoking, up to 60 cigarettes a day with a CO reading of 43, had become her way of coping with fear, stress and trauma. She arrived at her first appointment exhausted, anxious and unsure she deserved support, but attending was an important act of courage.
Through regular, trauma‑informed, face‑to‑face support, Sofia learned about triggers, cravings and the links between trauma and smoking. In just one week she reduced her CO from 43 to 5, which transformed her belief in herself. As she cut down and then stopped smoking, she secured her own flat, began rebuilding her independence and started exploring part‑time work with the long‑term aim of returning to psychology and helping others.
Sofia is now smoke free, living more safely and actively rebuilding her life and identity.
“Stopping smoking made me realise I still had power. If I could change that, I could change everything.”
These stories show that quitting smoking is not just about physical health – it can be the first step towards rebuilding confidence, independence and hope for a healthier, more secure life.
If you would like to stop smoking and are also experiencing trauma or other mental health issues, you can find more information at the mental health and stop smoking support page.
