Successful quitters share their stop smoking success stories

Katie and Luke Lerston, Miroslava Turnova, and Emma Convey were all supported by Shelley Halford - stop smoking adviser at the free local NHS Stop Smoking Service based at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

Miroslava Turnova said: “Shelley helped me to give up smoking during my pregnancy. Her home visits and support helped me a lot, and me and my baby really appreciate that there is this kind of service available.”

Husband and wife Luke and Katie Lerston had tried and failed to stop smoking a few times before seeing Shelley.

“We wanted to stop for our health and because we didn't want our children seeing us smoke”, they said.

“We cannot recommend the stop smoking service enough. It was the best thing we ever did and we both now feel so much happier and healthier.”

Emma Convey, 30, was helped to quit throughout both of her pregnancies and now she has successfully remained a non-smoker.

Her partner has now also stopped so they now have a completely smoke free home.

Emma said: “The service that Shelley provided me during both my pregnancies was superb. She was always available if you needed advice or help.”

Thousands of people have successfully quit using their local NHS Stop Smoking Service.

Developed by experts and ex-smokers, and delivered by NHS professionals, the Service provides advice, support and encouragement to help stop smoking for good, and is completely free of charge.

Stop smoking adviser Shelley Halford said: “With help from your local NHS Stop Smoking Service you’re up to four times more likely to quit than if you go it alone. We offer expert, friendly advisers; stop smoking medicines; carbon monoxide checks; one to one support and helpful information and we will be with you every step of the way.”

Worcestershire’s NHS Stop Smoking Service runs from The Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

For more information, call 0300 123 0619 or 01562 513 225.