Time to Quit Smoking? "It'll never happen to me" – Paul's story.

Paul successfully gave up smoking recently after getting support from Help Me Quit. You too can access this support and successfully quit smoking for good! 

Paul says: 

“The reason why I did it was I was diagnosed with stage three aggressive bladder cancer which is a direct result of smoking…So obviously, you know, it’s a no brainer.  I needed to stop. 

“The service provided me with options of different things to help me give up. 

“I also had the option if I needed to talk about it, I could ring up, have a chat about any issues or any problems I was having with it, then have regular weekly meetings to see how I was progressing… 

My sense of smell and taste are completely different to when I smoked.  Breathing is better, a lot better than it was. 

“I don’t want to be dead at 52 just from smoking. So, for me, giving up smoking was the only choice. I had to give up but I couldn’t do it on my own. 

Powys Teaching Health Board Smoking Cessation Team are here to support smokers in Powys wishing to quit in 2024. 

The team (pictured below) is led by Ceri Peate (far left), Clinical Lead for Smoking Cessation, and includes Smoking Cessation Advisors (from left to right) Kathryn Jones, Mary Ann Pryce and Alex Doran who work across the geography of Powys. The team have extensive experience in supporting smokers in their journey to becoming smoke-free and support individuals to quit smoking face-to-face or via telephone.  

The support that the team provides can increase the chances of quitting up to 300% compared with going it alone!  The service includes access to FREE nicotine replacement medication. The health benefits of stopping smoking are immediate. To anyone who has struggled to quit, do not feel alone - the service is on hand to support you. 

Whether it is visiting a local Smoking Cessation Clinic, meeting with other people who are also quitting or having virtual or telephone calls with one of our trained Smoking Cessation Advisors, there is an option suitable for everyone who wishes to give up smoking. The Smoking Cessation team also work closely with pharmacies across Powys to ensure that clients using the service have as many options available to them as possible. 

If you would like to refer someone into the service or if you have any queries, please email StopSmoking.Powys@wales.nhs.uk.  

Alternatively, you can refer via a self-referral form at https://www.helpmequit.wales/

Or call FREEPHONE 0800 0852219 

Released: 29/12/2023