Nailing it- Colin’ Story

Colin received telephone support from Smokefree Norfolk after deciding it was time to quit smoking for good. Motivated by health concerns and the financial cost of smoking, Colin had tried to quit multiple times before but always found himself drawn back, especially in social settings.

“I felt excited when I first contacted the service. I really wanted to quit and believed this was my time. I chose nicotine patches and mouth spray, and my initial consultation with my Health Coach was absolutely brilliant. It was so informative and made me even more determined. I still remember the analogy she gave me about “birds in the nest” and how addiction works—it really stuck with me.”

Participants can access a free course of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), a vape starter kit, and carbon monoxide monitoring to track progress. They also receive support to manage cravings, set a quit date, and stay motivated. Friends and family are welcome to join sessions to support them, making it easier to stay committed and succeed together.

“Since my quit date, I’ve faced some big challenges, including a marriage breakdown and Christmas. But quitting smoking gave me something to focus on. I kept telling myself, “If I can do it through this stress, I can do it anytime.” And I nailed it!”

“The service has been superb—faultless, really. My Health Coach was fantastic, and I couldn’t have asked for more. I’ve now been smokefree for eight weeks and I’m already seeing the benefits. I can buy more, and I’ve calculated that I’ll save around £11,000 in my first year of not smoking!”

“I don’t need any further help because the support I received was tremendous. I’ve already recommended Smokefree Norfolk to several people and given out the 0800 number. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and happy to share my story to help others take that first step.”