WEDNESDAY, 27 DECEMBER, 2023

Photograph attached: Billy Howe

Quit Your Way and have a smoke free New Year!

A Dundee charity worker who works with Street Soccer Scotland is looking forward to a winning 2024 after kicking his smoking habit for good.

Billy Howe, who started smoking at the age of 11, was given support through the Quit Your Way programme at Wallacetown Pharmacy after making the decision to get help to stop smoking.

The 44-year-old, who previously smoked around 30 cigarettes a day, works in the Change Centre Dundee with Street Soccer Scotland, a charity which provides a personal development service for socially disadvantaged young people and adults, providing hope and opportunity through physical activity.

Over the years, Billy had tried to quit smoking several times but earlier this year decided he was going to quit smoking for good. Billy popped into the pharmacy and was given support immediately, leaving the pharmacy with nicotine replacement products to help him during his quit attempt.

He said, “This time was different from all the other attempts to quit. I went to the pharmacy with a fixed mindset – I want to stop smoking. I was determined that I was a non-smoker and this was my time to quit for good.

“If I wanted to go to buy cigarettes, I told myself to go for a walk from Craigie in Dundee to Monifieth, and if I still wanted to buy cigarettes when I got there, I could, or I could get a fish supper instead. When I arrived after walking five or six miles, I always chose the fish supper! I also made sure that I had my nicotine replacement medication with me so I could use it as often as I needed.

“I don’t need the medication at all now and smoking does not even enter my mind. Most people are gobsmacked that I have given up but if I can do it, so can you!”

Billy now shares his success with friends and colleagues and encourages them to seek the free support available from community pharmacies and the Quit Your Way programme to give up smoking.

Billy added, “My kids have really noticed a difference in me since I stopped smoking. My health has continued to improve, and the kids are both so proud and over the moon for me. They are also enjoying getting some extra treats because I am now saving up to £600 to £750 a month!”

On average, smokers who smoke 20 cigarettes a day can save up to £840 in 12 weeks and over £3,000 in a year by giving up smoking.

NHS Tayside Health Promotion Worker Sarah Armstrong said, “Billy has done incredibly well to successfully quit smoking and he should be very proud of his achievement. New Year is often a time where people are thinking about making a change and getting healthier, so I would encourage anyone who wants to give up smoking to seek support and make 2024 their year to quit.

“Quitting smoking can lead to so many benefits - it will save you money but it can also lead to improved physical health. Giving up smoking is the single most important lifestyle decision that anyone can make to improve their health immediately.

“People are four times more likely to stop smoking for good if they use the stop smoking support available. You can access free medication and support that’s right for you at your local community pharmacy, which improves your success of quitting long-term.

“NHS Tayside Quit Your Way services are available for anyone who wants to stop smoking in Tayside.”

People can visit any local community pharmacy or call the Quit Your Way service locally on 01382 424127 or email tay.smokingcessationservice@nhs.scot to find out about all the ways NHS Tayside can help support people to become smoke free.

NHS Tayside also has an incentive scheme to quit smoking that offers £50 a month in weekly vouchers to spend at a local supermarket. Your local pharmacy can give you more information and let you know if you are eligible for the incentive scheme.

You can find and like the Tayside Quit Your Way service page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nhstaysidequityourway, where you can find lots of information about the support available.

NHS Tayside has a strict No Smoking Policy which makes all NHS Tayside premises and grounds smoke free, a policy which is line with all Health Board sites across Scotland.

Legislation has also been introduced by the Scottish Government, making it an offence to smoke within 15 metres of a hospital building.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138