Breaking the control- Stephen’s story

Stephen made the decision to quit smoking after a series of serious health concerns, including multiple heart attacks and a kidney cancer diagnosis in 2024. Although he had successfully quit in the past, life challenges led him back to smoking. Ready to regain control of his health, Stephen contacted SmokeFree Norfolk and accessed one‑to‑one support.

“My health was the main reason I knew I had to quit. I’ve had several heart attacks over the years and being diagnosed with kidney cancer was the final push. Smoking had completely taken control of my life — I felt like a burden and would hide my smoking. I wouldn’t smoke in front of others, couldn’t smoke in my rented flat, and I’d find myself pacing around like a caged animal waiting for people to leave so I could go outside for a cigarette.”

SmokeFree Norfolk supports people to quit smoking by offering free, personalised help across the county. The service provides one‑to‑one support from trained advisors, either over the phone or in person, alongside access to quitting aids such as vapes or nicotine replacement therapy. Support focuses on building confidence, managing cravings, dealing with triggers and helping people stay motivated throughout their quit journey.

“Before contacting the service, I spent months talking myself out of it. I kept thinking I’d try another time, but when I finally called and someone answered straight away, everything changed. I had a really good chat and an appointment was set up, which made all the difference. I felt like now really was the time to go for it.”

“I chose to use a vape and having that as a replacement rather than a cigarette has helped me enormously. But more than anything, the support from my advisor, Gemma, has been brilliant. She’s boosted my confidence so much, and I didn’t want to let either of us down. Her support kept me going, especially during tough moments.”

“There were times when I really struggled — dealing with personal struggles gave me a lot of stress and made me want to smoke badly. But I stuck with my vape, and having a friend who refused to buy cigarettes for me helped break that moment. Once the issue was sorted, the urge disappeared again.”

“I’ve now been smokefree for 13 weeks and I feel so much better for it. I’ve saved over £500 already, my confidence has grown, and smoking no longer controls my day. SmokeFree Norfolk has been fantastic, and the support I received has genuinely helped me change my life for the better.”