From hospital referral to Smoke free- Ann Marie’s story

After experiencing several heart attacks and being fitted with cardiac stents, Ann Marie was referred to Quit Smoking Stoke-on-Trent during a hospital stay. A long‑term smoker who had tried and struggled to quit in the past, she knew that stopping smoking was essential for her health.

“When I was in hospital, I knew I had to quit smoking for good. I’d had several heart attacks and I was terrified of what would happen if I carried on. Even though I knew it was the right thing to do, I felt really apprehensive and nervous about quitting because I’d tried before and never managed to stop completely. Smoking had become such a big habit for me, especially when I was stressed.”

Quit Smoking Stoke-on-Trent supports people who want to quit smoking by offering free, personalised help. The service provides one‑to‑one weekly support from trained coaches, advice on managing cravings, and access to nicotine replacement treatments to suit individual needs. The team focuses on building confidence, addressing triggers and supporting people through the physical and emotional challenges of quitting, helping them stay smokefree in the long term.

“Before I quit, smoking was controlling my life. I had no energy, no money, and I always seemed to have chest infections. I had a terrible cough every morning and felt exhausted all the time. When I first came out of hospital, I did slip and have a cigarette, and I found the early days really hard, especially with the stress of work and sick notes. But my coach was always there for me.”

“The weekly calls were honestly the best part of the support. My coach was my biggest cheerleader — so supportive, positive and reassuring. She helped me through cravings and also supported me through other things I was struggling with, not just quitting smoking. I chose nicotine lozenges and an inhalator as they worked well for me, and together with the support calls, they really helped me stay on track.”

“I’ve now been smokefree for 12 weeks, which I still can’t quite believe. My breathing is so much better, I can walk more without getting out of breath, and I’m enjoying my food again. I feel like I’ve been given a new lease of life. I’ve also saved a lot of money and been able to treat myself and my grandchildren, which has been lovely — we even had extra treats at Christmas thanks to what I’d saved.”

“I’m incredibly grateful to Quit Smoking Stoke-on-Trent. I truly don’t think I could have quit without this support. It has saved my life, and I’m determined to stay smokefree for the future, keep walking more, and remind myself every week of how far I’ve come.”