Breaking the cycle – Heather’s story

Heather made the decision to quit smoking after ongoing health concerns. Having tried to quit several times in the past, she knew she needed the right support to stop for good, which led her to contact Smokefree Norfolk.

“My motivation to quit smoking was my health. I’d tried to stop before a number of times, sometimes lasting a few weeks and even up to a year, but I always found my way back, thinking maybe just one would be okay.”

Quitting smoking brings rapid improvements to your health. Within 20 minutes, your pulse rate begins to return to normal. After just 48 hours, your lungs start clearing out mucus and your sense of taste and smell improves. Over time, your risk of heart attack and lung cancer significantly decreases. Smokefree Norfolk helps you unlock these benefits with expert support every step of the way.

“Smoking had become a crutch for me over time, so I knew I needed help. I’m so glad I contacted the service — it felt like the right step for me. I started with tablets, but I experienced some side effects, so I switched to patches instead. The tips and advice from my coach, Pam, were the most helpful part — having that support made a real difference.”

“The service has been excellent, and I’ve now been smoke free for 11 weeks. I’m planning to treat myself with the money I’ve saved and go on a shopping spree for some new spring outfits.”

“I’m feeling positive about the future. I’m going to keep exercising, enjoy my hobbies like knitting, and continue working towards improving my health.”