Mayo woman quits a 20 cigarette a day smoking habit which began at the age of 16
Wednesday, February 18, marked National No Smoking Day, and the HSE is urging smokers across the West to consider quitting, reminding them that Stop Smoking Advisers are on hand to help them start a quit plan and provide support throughout the entire process.
Among those encouraging others to take that first step towards quitting is Pauline Connor from Ballina, who gave up smoking after years and is now more than a year smoke-free.
With National No Smoking Day coinciding with the start of Lent, a time often associated with giving up a bad habit, the Mayo native is encouraging smokers across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon to use the opportunity to make a positive lifestyle change.
Ms Connor has been smoke-free for one year and seven days after completing the HSE Quit Smoking Programme.
A member of staff at University Hospital Galway, Ms Connor said having help from the HSE made sure her choice to quit smoking was a permanent one.
“I started smoking when I was about 16 and the number per day just seemed to increase as the years went on,” she said.
"Before I started with a Stop Smoking Adviser, I was smoking 20 cigarettes per day. I tried everything to quit down through the years, and different methods did work, but that was only for a short period of time,
"Determined to improve my health and quality of life I sought support from the hospital’s Stop Smoking Adviser at work and committed to quitting,” she explained.
The HSE Stop Smoking Services provide free, personalised, evidence-based stop-smoking plans tailored to individual needs.
This includes one-to-one behavioural support and access to a trained Stop Smoking Adviser; carbon monoxide testing to track health improvements; Nicotine Replacement Therapy medications to help manage cravings; follow-up appointments for up to a year, in person, by phone, or online; and motivational support to help people stay on track.
Reflecting on her journey to becoming smoke-free, Ms Connor said the health improvements she saw were immediate, and this helped motivate her to keep going.
“Quitting smoking has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, my health has improved and I’m saving money every week,” she said.
“When I saw how quickly my carbon monoxide levels improved after stopping smoking, I was honestly amazed,
“After smoking for so many years, seeing that change really motivated me to keep going.”
She explained that one of the biggest benefits has been the freedom to travel and spend time with family without having to worry about the logistics of smoking.
“The biggest change for me is being able to travel to see my grandchildren without worrying about smoking or how I’d cope on a flight. I feel freer and healthier,” she said.
“The support and Nicotine Replacement Theory made a huge difference, having a clear plan and the right help from my Stop Smoking Adviser, with whom I had a great relationship, kept me focused,
“I stuck with it, and now I’m over a year smoke-free, something I’m incredibly proud of,” she added.
Ann Marie McGarry, Smoking Cessation Adviser at Galway University Hospital, said Ms Connor’s story shows what is possible with the right help and determination.
“Stopping smoking is one of the most important lifestyle changes smokers can take to improve their health,” she said. “It reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and respiratory illness, improves overall wellbeing and has immediate benefits such as better breathing and increased energy.”
Ms McGarry reminded smokers that HSE Stop Smoking Advisers in Mayo, Galway and Roscommon are available to offer practical tools, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, guidance and encouragement at each stage of the quit journey.
The HSE is encouraging anyone who smokes to consider taking the first step towards quitting.
Those who work with a Stop Smoking Adviser and use Nicotine Replacement Therapy are four times more likely to quit successfully than those who try alone.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.