Stoptober: Jozef and Jana quit together, breaking a 40-Year, 40-a-Day smoking addiction and inspiring their son to join them
58-year-old Jozef is celebrating three months smokefree and attributes his success to the support and products he received from Livewell. He is backing the Stoptober campaign, which encourages people to quit during October, based on evidence that if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
Since quitting smoking, Jozef has continued his journey towards better health, having already started losing weight and stopped drinking alcohol. As a result, he has seen significant improvements in his overall well-being. He no longer requires oxygen to manage his obstructive sleep apnea, his blood pressure has stabilised to a healthy level, and his type 2 diabetes is in remission. Being able to walk more and breathe easier inspired Jozef’s wife to quit five weeks later, and together they motivated their 37-year-old son to join them.
Jozef and Jana Cicak from Normanton in Derby credit Livewell advisor Marianna’s support, delivered in their native Slovakian, for their achievement, having been referred by the practice nurse at Lister House Surgery. As a speaker of West Slavic languages, Marianna provides face-to-face stop smoking appointments and drop-in clinics for Lister House’s Eastern European patients from Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland.
Jozef explains how he joined the service: "Having lost 30 kilos, I was ready to stop smoking for my health and felt embarrassed about smelling of stale smoke. I noticed people backed away from me when talking. I didn’t know how to quit or that there was free support available. From the moment I stepped into my first appointment, Marianna welcomed me in Slovakian, explained how the service worked, and we discussed together what product would work best for me. We decided on a vape for the hand-to-mouth action, and as a heavy smoker, Marianna recommended the highest strength of nicotine liquid to help manage my cravings. I also stopped drinking alcohol as I’d light up a cigarette to have with a drink."
When Jozef was concerned about coughing up mucus for weeks after quitting, Marianna reassured him that this was normal and a positive sign that his body was clearing out toxins and tar from his airways, allowing his lungs to begin healing. This reassurance, along with regular face-to-face support and the convenience of picking up vape liquids from the Lister House drop-in, which was a short walking distance from his home, helped Jozef stay committed to his quit journey.
Upon reaching his four-week quit milestone, Jozef encouraged his wife, Jana, to book an appointment with Marianna so they could continue their quit journeys together in a smokefree home, free of temptation. Jana adds that she already feels less breathless, has more energy, and is pleased with their progress. The couple is saving £450 a month, money they are using for holidays and gardening projects.
Now that Jozef is three months smokefree, Marianna is supporting him to cut down on vaping, which he plans to stop by Christmas. He is now on the lowest nicotine strength and is taking Marianna’s suggestions of not vaping in the home to reduce his dependency in a gradual but sustainable way to avoid returning to smoking. Jozef has also learned that keeping himself busy and adjusting his daily routines are effective strategies for managing the behavioural aspect of smoking.
He concluded by saying: "I’m happier than I ever was whilst smoking and I’m determined to stay quit. I never believed it could be possible, so if you want to quit, then take up the Stoptober challenge and get Livewell to support you. I tell everyone in my community about Livewell so that more people know specialist support is available."
Livewell advisor Marianna added: "It’s been a pleasure to work with Jozef and Jana and see them experience the many benefits of quitting. At Jozef’s first appointment his carbon monoxide level was off the chart, now it is the same as a non-smoker. If people feel ready to quit, then we can support them to get there, and Stoptober provides the ideal opportunity."
How it works
Livewell offers free support and nicotine products and vapes to Derby residents for up to 10 weeks. The service provides telephone appointments to get started, with drop-in clinics to pick up treatments and get a carbon monoxide test across the city. Face-to-face appointments are available in some communities. For more information and to book a telephone appointment online, visit the Livewell website.