This spring, 61-year-old Carol Gilboy celebrates five years without smoking, marking a significant milestone after 42 years of smoking—a decision she is grateful to have made. Carol successfully quit with the help of Livewell's free support, joining the service at the onset of the pandemic.
Her motivation to quit came after seeing a poster at the Royal Derby Hospital during a cataract appointment in March 2020, which highlighted the negative impact of smoking on eye health. "While I knew smoking could lead to heart disease and lung cancer, I was unaware of its harmful effects on vision. This realisation made me consider the potential for other health issues, prompting me to quit."
Carol booked a telephone appointment with advisor Gemma, who recommended Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) patches, which had been effective for Carol during a previous quit attempt 25 years ago. "The combination of support and treatments worked well for me. Gemma regularly checked in and offered additional support if needed. She also encouraged me to request more patches when necessary. I was determined not to let myself down, so I remained committed."
Carol appreciates the fresh scent of her home and clothes and has saved around six thousand pounds since quitting. With Livewell providing up to ten weeks of NRT products for free, she also saved on the cost of patches.
Inspired by her success, Carol is now improving other aspects of her health. "Since quitting, I’ve reduced my alcohol intake and eat more healthily. I'm hoping to start a joint pain management programme soon to alleviate my osteoarthritis symptoms and shed some weight. Continuing to smoke would have worsened the damage and pain, as smoking heightens inflammation in the body."
Quitting smoking was easier than I expected, and I no longer feel any urges. However, I remind myself during challenging moments that it might not be as easy to quit again. Posting updates on Facebook helps me stay accountable—it's harder to relapse when you've announced your five-year milestone to the world!"
Whatever your reason to stop smoking, join Livewell to get a personalised quit plan with free nicotine products for up to ten weeks and friendly support. Find out more and book your phone appointment online today.
- Remove all tobacco or cigarettes from your home to avoid temptation.
- Engage in a project to stay busy and distracted - Carol began growing vegetables in her garden.
- Affirm your identity as a non-smoker—use this mantra whenever cravings arise.
- Surround yourself with non-smoking friends and family to minimise temptation in social settings.
- Share your quitting journey with friends and family, either in person or on social media, for support and accountability.
- Accept praise and rewards, making it harder to revert.
- Choose a treatment that suits you—patches helped Carol manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms, allowing her to focus on the psychological aspects of quitting. She reminded herself that she was no longer addicted and capable of succeeding.