I was 16 when I first started smoking and I have smoked for 14 years. I started smoking because people around me liked to try new things and older people were doing it, when I first tried it I really didn't like it, it made me feel sick but I didn't stop trying.
I used to smoke between 11 and 15 cigarettes a day, I decided to stop because I am a pharmacist and I know everything about smoking and addiction, I have been advising people to stop smoking, so I needed to stop as well and now I understand how people feel. I needed to stop as I feel this is a beautiful experience in my life, what's money without your health.
I accessed the service via the telephone support, and I would rate it 10/10, it was excellent.
I used patches for a more sustainable release throughout the day, I am very busy and I needed something to suit me.
Apart from products, the thing that helped me to quit and stay smokefree is that I am a gym man, but I have also asked a friend to join me and we have been walking 11-12km almost daily.
My health has improved since I quit, a life without cigarettes means I feel much fitter and more energetic and my mind is clearer. I have also lost some weight.
When I was a smoker, after each cigarette I just wanted to laze around and sleep and maybe eat more, now I like to do things that are good for my health, replaced bad habits with good habits.
Since not smoking, I like that I sleep very well, when I wake up I have more energy like I have been reaching a deep sleep level, as a smoker I was coughing during the night and not sleeping as good. I have brilliant concentration now, I am more in control of my nerves and emotions.
I don't want to know how much money I have saved, but I am looking to the future.
I would actually like to give some of the money I have saved to charity, something about smoking cessation maybe.
If I could go back in time, I would say "I didn't know what I know now, to someone wanting to start, I would say please don't take the cigarette as it's a very toxic material for your body and your money".
