A year smoke-free and over £2,500 saved – Daniel’s story

Daniel decided to quit smoking to improve both his health and finances. Before quitting, smoking had left him coughing, lacking energy and experiencing a reduced sense of smell and taste. Although he initially felt sceptical about reaching out for support, accessing Leeds Stop Smoking Services helped him make his first quit attempt a success.

“I wanted to quit for my health and my finances. I’d never tried to quit before, but I was coughing and spluttering, had no energy and felt like I had lost my sense of smell and taste. I was a bit sceptical about contacting the service at first, but I knew I wanted to quit completely.”

Leeds Stop Smoking Services helps people take positive steps towards a smoke-free future through personalised support tailored to their individual needs and lifestyle. With guidance from a dedicated health coach and access to stop smoking treatments, the service can help people manage cravings, overcome challenges and stay motivated throughout their quit journey.

“I chose remote support because it fitted better with my lifestyle and used nicotine replacement patches and an inhalator to help me quit. Having a call every week was one of the most helpful parts of the support. The encouragement I received helped keep me determined and focused on my goal.”

“One of my biggest challenges was dealing with stressful days. Instead of turning back to smoking, I learned to distract myself with something else. Finding another way to respond to those difficult moments helped me stay on track.”

“I’ve now been smoke-free for over 12 months, which is a huge achievement for me. I haven’t rewarded myself with the money I’ve saved yet, but I’ve already saved more than £2,500 since quitting. Being able to see the financial difference alongside the benefits of becoming smoke-free has made it even more worthwhile.”

“Since finishing the programme, I’ve also joined a golf club and spa. It feels good to be putting my time and money towards things that support my lifestyle rather than smoking.”

“Overall, I found the service brilliant. The regular calls, encouragement and support gave me the determination I needed to quit. More than a year later, I’m still smoke-free, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”