Breaking the habit for good – Olwen’s story

Before accessing support through Smokefree Norfolk, Olwen had reached a point where she was tired of smoking controlling her daily life. Although she had attempted to quit in the past, her efforts had only lasted a day before old habits drew her back to smoking. Feeling both frustrated and determined to make a change, she decided to seek support to help her become smoke free for good.

“I was fed up with smoking and it dominating my life. I knew I wanted to stop, but I also knew I needed support to help me finally break the habit. I had tried to quit before, but I only managed to stop for a day. The reason I always went back was because smoking had become such a bad habit and such a normal part of my daily routine.”

Smokefree Norfolk provides personalised support to help people quit smoking and stay smoke free. Through one-to-one coaching, behavioural support and access to proven stop smoking aids, participants receive the encouragement, tools and guidance needed to overcome challenges, build confidence and create lasting change. Our advisors work alongside participants throughout their quit journey, helping them develop strategies that support long-term success.

“When I was smoking, it felt normal because I'd done it for so long, but at the same time I often felt like an outcast. Deep down, I knew I wanted to make a positive change. I felt apprehensive about contacting the service at first because I wasn't sure what to expect, but I decided to take that first step and ask for help.”

“I chose to use nicotine patches and an inhaler as part of my quit attempt. Having different options available helped me find an approach that worked for me. All of the support I received was helpful. Knowing that someone was there to support me, encourage me and keep me on track made a huge difference throughout the process. One of the biggest challenges I faced was that most of my family and friends smoke. Being around smoking regularly could have made it much more difficult to stay focused on my goal.”

“I overcame those challenges by continuing to check in with my coach and sticking closely to the programme. Having that ongoing support helped me stay committed even when things felt difficult. I found the service indispensable. It gave me the support, accountability and encouragement I needed to keep moving forward.”

“I've now been smoke free for 12 weeks, which is something I'm incredibly proud of. Reaching this milestone has shown me that I can achieve my goal and maintain the changes I've worked so hard to make. I've also been able to reward myself with some of the money I've saved from not smoking, which has been another great reminder of the benefits of quitting.”

“My next step is simple: to continue being a non-smoker. I'm determined to maintain the progress I've made and enjoy the benefits of living smoke free for many years to come.”