Getting back to smokefree – Julie’s story

For Julie Webster, stopping smoking was about taking control of her health and giving herself the best chance of a healthier future. After successfully quitting for nine months, a brief lapse led her back to smoking, but with support from Smokefree Norfolk, she found the motivation and confidence to quit again for good.

"I had previously been smoke-free for nine months, but after having just two puffs of a cigarette while celebrating with family, I found myself back smoking again. Within less than a week, I was smoking even more than before I had quit. I felt gutted because it was like those nine months hadn't happened."

"I knew it was time to stop. My COPD was getting worse, I was struggling more with everyday activities like climbing the stairs, and I needed surgery. I was determined to quit and contacting the service felt like a real lightbulb moment for me."

SmokeFree Norfolk provides free, personalised support to help people quit smoking for good. The service offers expert advice, one-to-one coaching, stop smoking treatments such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), and ongoing encouragement throughout the quit journey. By helping people manage cravings, build confidence and develop coping strategies, the service supports residents across Norfolk to achieve a smoke-free life.

"The telephone support worked perfectly for me. I couldn't face attending a clinic in person, so having one-to-one support over the phone made the process feel much easier and less pressured. It allowed me to focus on my quit journey in a way that suited me."

"One of the biggest challenges was changing my routine, especially after meals when I would normally smoke. To help with this, I started writing in a diary. It gave me something else to focus on and helped retrain my mind. I've continued doing it every day because it really works for me."

"The support has been fantastic. I'm now 82 days smokefree and have saved £2,460. Knowing how much I've achieved keeps me motivated to continue. I've promised myself a new sofa with some of the money I've saved, and every time I sit on it, it will remind me why I quit."

"Quitting isn't easy, but you have to be committed. For me, the support from Smokefree Norfolk and finding new ways to manage my routines made all the difference. I know now that I won't look back."