Why did you quit smoking?

I quit smoking when I found out I was pregnant with my first child and stupidly started again when my second child was 1. I finally quit again 3 years ago as it was expensive, it made my hair and clothes smell, and my children didn’t want to hug me. My partner also has asthma and I quit for him too. It was during COVID and I was around them all day long, so I could not sneak off to smoke very easily without them knowing.

How do you feel after quitting?

It was really hard at first as I liked the taste, but I stuck with it and after a few months I did not miss it as much. I have not had a cough since and I do not get out of breath when exercising. I have more energy and more spare cash!

Do you have any alternatives?

I use Heets, which I know still contain nicotine, but no tar. I use a lot less Heets than I did cigarettes and they are less expensive. I am weaning off of those but they are the best alternatives I have tried and I haven’t had a single cigarette since switching over.

What would you say to people who are struggling to quit?

It is hard, but like any lifestyle change you must persevere and remember why you are doing it. Nothing comes easy but you do have the strength to do it. The benefits both to your health and bank balance hugely outweigh the difficulties in quitting – you can do it. Set yourself a goal, put the money aside that you would have spent on smoking, and treat yourself – you will see what you can have if you quit.