Friends support one another to successfully stub their smoking habit

TOGETHER two friends of 16 years self-referred themselves to Be Well Tameside, as a way of encouraging each other to stop smoking for good.

Mark Bruniges, 63, from Ashton-under-Lyne, had been smoking since the age of 14 years old and finally made the decision to quit after suffering with a constant cough.

Mark was being diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, (COPD) which had remained untreated.

Kirsty Ditchfield, 35, from Hyde, was smoking 20 cigarettes a day, and also wanted to quit for health reasons and her children.

Kirsty had previously attempted to stop smoking several times but found it difficult when it came to holding herself accountable.

Mark and Kirsty have been family friends for years after Mark worked with Kirsty’s grandparents and parents. Kirsty heard about Be Well Tameside through word of mouth and suggested they get both get in touch.

Both friends wanted to share their story to inspire others who are considering stopping smoking this Stoptober. Evidence suggests that smokers who try quitting for 28 days are then five times more likely to quit for good.

By accessing the Be Well Tameside service smokers can massively boost their chances of successfully quitting for good.

Be Well Tameside offered both Kirsty and Mark a range of stop smoking aids and they both decided to try vape kits, through Be Well Tameside’s Swap to Stop scheme and face to face appointments, where they set regular achievable goals and created coping strategies.

Be Well Tameside offer the option of a free vape starter kit and up to 12 weeks-worth of e-liquid alongside behavioural support through the Swap to Stop scheme to give people more options to help them to become smokefree (applicable for 18+).

Vaping is just one option that smokers have to support them to quit smoking and is one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking.

Whilst vaping is not risk free, switching to vaping is less harmful and significantly reduces exposure to toxins that cause cancer, lung disease, as well as diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Vapes are only recommended for adult smokers to support them to quit and stay quit.

Kirsty said: “By both me and Mark using the same method it motivated us both and helped me stick to it, as we were on the journey together.

“I found the face-to-face appointments really useful as it helped me set clear boundaries and allowed me talk through issues I was facing and how I could overcome them.”

Mark agreed with Kirsty and said: “I never thought I’d be able to quit for good, but I’ve found the support from Kirsty and Be Well Tameside so helpful, as it’s exactly what I needed to hold myself accountable.”

Kirsty said: “I’ve been able to join in with circuit training in the gym and I can even run comfortably now without getting breathless, which I wasn’t able to do before.

“By stopping smoking it’s changed my life for the better, as my house feels cleaner and I’m financially better off as I no longer need to spend money on tobacco and cigarettes.”

Mark also added: “My house is also cleaner and smells much nicer, and I’ve noticed a massive improvement in my physical and mental health.

“I would definitely recommend Be Well Tameside to any other smokers who are wanting to start their journey to stopping smoking for good, as they made the entire process easier than I could have ever imagined.”

Be Well Tameside also offer telephone support and nicotine replacement therapies (patches, gum and lozenges), Zyban, Cytisine and Champix.

Residents can get six months free access to 24/7 stop smoking support through the Greater Manchester Smokefree App. Stop smoking support can also be accessed by speaking to your GP or local pharmacy.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Population Health and Wellbeing Cllr Eleanor Wills said: “I’d like to thank both Mark and Kirsty for sharing their quitting experience with us.

“It just goes to show that with access to the right support, whether this being family, friends or Be Well Tameside and by finding the right stop smoking aid for you, it’s possible for any smoker to kick the habit for good and as a result live a happier and healthier life.”

For more information on Be Well Tameside and the support available for stopping smoking contact them today at 0161 342 5050 or email bewelltameside@tameside.gov.uk or visit www.tameside.gov.uk/bewelltameside