9:35am Wednesday 10th March 2010
A 68-YEAR-OLD man who successfully quit smoking after 50 years has used the money he would have spent on cigarettes to go on holiday to Tunisia.
Brian Morrison, who works as the stage door keeper at York’s Theatre Royal, saved £700 in five months after stamping out his habit.
He was able to give up thanks to the support he received from the North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service.
In support of today’s No Smoking Day, Mr Morrison wants to share his story to encourage other smokers that it is possible to ditch cigarettes – even after five decades.
He said: “I started smoking in my early twenties so I’d been a smoker for nearly 50 years.
“Five months ago I developed a nasty chest infection and was prescribed some antibiotics by my doctor to try and stop my symptoms from escalating.
“I always knew smoking was bad for my health, but the chest infection really brought home how the cigarettes were severely affecting my overall health and well-being.
“I approached the North Yorkshire Stop Smoking Service who were so supportive and helped me to quit with a combination of nicotine replacement products.”
Mr Morrison said he was now able to run up the Theatre Royal’s four flights of stairs and he had also taken up swimming, aquafit and walking.
“If I can give up smoking after 50 years, anyone can,” he said.
•Get professional help – speak to a stop smoking advisor
•Make a list of reasons why you want to stop smoking and keep it with you to refer to
•Consider the money
•Set a date – plan ahead and be realistic
•Involve family and friends so they can support you along the way
•If you can’t stop straight away consider cutting down in preparation for stopping
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