"I started smoking when I was 12. My doctor told me that I had high cholesterol because of a genetic condition, and it was high enough that it could cause a stroke. I thought to myself, I need to quit smoking to reduce my risk. If I get a smoking-related illness I’ll be really angry, because I’ll only have myself to blame.

I found making a list of things to do instead of lighting up was a very useful, and I kept repeating to myself over and over: ‘the cravings will decrease and it will get easier’.

Since quitting I have more money, more energy and my house doesn’t smell of smoke. Food tastes better too, and my nails and teeth don’t have that yellow tinge anymore. It’s like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I don’t miss out on things because I have to duck out for a smoke, and I’m looking forward to enjoying good health in my later years."

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I guess I’d just like to say that it definitely wasn’t an easy thing to do, I made several attempts and it's all about getting the nicotine out of your body so if people can work through that, also the knowledge from the health information on what damage it does.

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What put me off the smoking... I looked after my brother, he had lung cancer and he had half his lung taken off. I cared for him for 8 years.

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I promised my Dad, and then he passed on, so I sort of made the commitment for him.

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