Walking further, breathing easier – Keith’s story

Before accessing support through Smokefree Norfolk, Keith's smoking habit was having a noticeable impact on his health and quality of life. He was experiencing health problems that affected his ability to walk. Having tried to quit smoking in the past without long-term success, Keith knew he needed support to help him make a lasting change.

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.

“My motivation for quitting smoking was my health. I was having vascular problems that affected my walking and could only walk around 60 to 70 feet before experiencing pain in my lower leg. I had tried to quit before and managed to stop for between two and four weeks, but stress always seemed to lead me back to smoking. When I was smoking, it felt normal because it had been part of my routine for so long. When I contacted the service, I wasn't sure whether it would be successful, but I knew I needed to give myself the best chance of quitting for good.”

“I chose regular telephone consultations and ongoing support, which suited me well and allowed me to access help from home. One of the most helpful parts of the support was the enthusiasm and genuine encouragement I received throughout my quit journey. Knowing that someone believed in my ability to succeed gave me extra motivation to keep going. One of the biggest challenges was choosing the right time to stop smoking. There is never a perfect time and making that commitment wasn't always easy. Having support from my advisor helped me overcome those challenges and stay focused on my goal, even when things felt difficult.”

“I found the service excellent. The regular support and encouragement helped me stay on track and gave me the confidence to keep moving forward as a non-smoker. I've now been smoke free for six months, which is something I'm incredibly proud of. Reaching this milestone has shown me that with the right support, it is possible to make lasting changes.”

“Although I haven't really spent the money I've saved, the biggest reward has been the improvement in my health and mobility. My next goal is simply to continue building on my success. Since quitting smoking, I can now walk at least 240 feet without pain in my leg, which is a huge improvement compared to where I started. Quitting smoking has given me back confidence in my health and shown me that it's never too late to make positive changes. I'm determined to remain smoke free and continue enjoying the benefits that come with it.”