Press release
A healthier future for Jeannette
A Bury woman who had smoked for over 40 years has waved goodbye to the fags and said hello to a healthier future.
Jeannette Roberts from Bury found inspiration to quit after visiting Bury Stop Smoking Service on the QUIT IT bus during its tour of Bury earlier this year.
After smoking since she was a teenager, Jeannette has now been smokefree for over three months and is really feeling the benefits.
Last year around 1,000 Bury people successfully quit with the help of Bury Stop Smoking Service. The service offers free and confidential advice and support for people who want to stop smoking. The specialist team can also advise on the best stop smoking products*, for example nicotine patches or gum, to help people to manage their cravings. By Accessing NHS support and using the right products, people are four times more likely to successfully go smokefree.
Speaking of her success, Jeannette said:
“I’d been wanting to quit for a while and had tried before but without success. I’ve been smoking since I was a teenager, so knew it would be hard, but I’d been feeling the impact of smoking on my health and knew it was time for me to take control of the situation. I cut down first, and one day whilst in town shopping, I stumbled across the QUIT IT bus. It was one of those moments when you know the time is right to make a decision. I got all the support I needed from Bury Stop Smoking Service and they advised which nicotine patches could help me manage the cravings that come with quitting. Three months down the line, I haven’t touched a single cigarette and I am really loving being smokefree.”
Jeannette who has 19 grandchildren and one great grand child says family support has been really important in her success. “My husband has been amazing, he has never smoked and has really spurred me on. Our house is now a smokefree zone, so I know that it’s a safe environment for all of the family, and if any guests want to smoke when they visit, they are politely asked to smoke outside.”
Before she quit, Jeannette had been spending over £30 a week on cigarettes and she is saving the money towards family holidays and other treats.
Soraya Rigg, Jeannette’s Advisor at Bury Stop Smoking Service added:
“I am sure that Jeannette will be a true inspiration to others. Smoking had been part of her life for so long and quitting must have been a real challenge, but it’s one she’s achieved and she should be rightly proud of herself.”
For free confidential advice and support, Bury Stop Smoking Service is only a phone call or text away; text QUIT IT + name + postcode to 81066 or telephone 0845 223 9001.
The health bus is returning to Bury during May and July this year, this time offering advice and information on a range of issues from quitting smoking, to healthy eating and getting more exercise, look out for the bus at a venue near you.
ENDS
Date: 24 May 2010
FOR PRESS & MEDIA ENQUIRIES: contact Caroline Dearden, Corporate Communications Manager on 0161 762 3106 or email communications@bury.nhs.uk
Notes to editor:
*Stop smoking products may be subject to a prescription charge, a specialist advisor can provide more information.