A Harrogate lady who’s been a heavy smoker since the age of 14 has finally managed to quit – with the help of North Yorkshire County Council’s new stop smoking service called Smokefreelife North Yorkshire.
Jackie Green, aged 49, from Bilton, has been smoke-free for nearly four months now.
Smokefreelife North Yorkshire works closely with a number of contracted community pharmacies and they are key partners in the delivery of a successful service – particularly in the county’s large rural areas.
Jackie explains:
I’ve tried to quit many times before on my own and via the local GP, but to no avail. With Christine there was a togetherness straight away and also a beyond the call of duty ethic from her, plus she didn’t judge. My weekly consultations were invaluable and even on her days off she would text, chase and cajole so I stayed focused. I think she deserves a medal really
I feel so much healthier and positive about the future now. I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease from smoking all these years, so being able to stay quit was vital for me and my breathing issues. Plus, I’m saving nearly £300 per month, which has allowed me to make the home and garden improvements I’ve been putting off for ages.
Christine from Lloyds pharmacy said:
It’s very gratifying to hear such praise from Jackie and I’m delighted that we have made the difference for her. We do take time to listen and get to know our customers properly and we don’t pressurise them – it they’re not ready to go down a level on their Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) then we consult and advise in a deliberately informal manner.
Customers also like that they can just walk in, without an appointment and register there and then for our 12-week quit course. NRT products such as patches (which Jackie favoured) and lozenges, etc, are of course free to many and being able to talk and share experiences on a regular basis seems to be a major part of taking the decision to quit and staying quit.
Smokefreelife North Yorkshire is funded by North Yorkshire County Council.
Visit www.smokefreelifenorthyorkshire.co.uk. There are 15 support centres in the Harrogate district alone.
