Alun and Lynn's stories on becoming smoke-free
No Smoking Day 2026 takes place today (Wednesday 11 March). Over half of people who smoke in Wales (53%) want to quit. If you’re thinking about it, you’re not alone.
Read about two of our patients, Alun and Lynn, on how Help Me Quit supported them to become smoke-free.
Alun’s story
Alun was resuscitated in hospital following a cardiac arrest, and he feels that this is his second chance at life. He is now determined to never smoke again.
Whilst being treated as an inpatient following his heart attack and cardiac arrest, he was referred to the Help Me Quit (HMQ) team. An advisor visited him whilst he was in hospital and discussed the support and treatment options available for help to stop smoking. He was very keen to access the service and determined to quit smoking following his admission.
Nicotine replacement therapy was provided, he opted for a 24-hour patch and an inhalator to help with the habit of smoking.
After being discharged from hospital, he received a weekly phone call from his advisor, who offered support, guidance, tips and ideas to help navigate through his quit attempt. The phone calls were very helpful and of great benefit, with Alun managing to keep quitting over the Christmas and New Year period.
He was very positive and despite suffering from some ongoing issues and challenges with his health, he has noticed improvement to his wellbeing and also financial savings.
Alun is very keen to highlight the value of HMQ support and the importance of wanting to quit for yourself and not for others. He said: ‘Help Me Quit support was brilliant – it’s important to remember cravings last no time at all and soon disappear. You’ve got to want to give up for yourself – use the Help me Quit Service as it really does help and support you. I am determined to never smoke again – I know I can’t take that risk.’
Lynn’s story
Lynn shares her journey to becoming smoke-free with Help Me Quit in 2025.
“I am a 68-year-old woman, who has smoked between 10-12 cigarettes a day for approximately fifty years. I suffer from asthma, anxiety and depression and have always used the excuse for smoking that it helped my anxiety and depression but overlooked the asthma. I have tried on many occasions to try and stop without any sort of success.
Over the past two years I have had to cope with extreme pain in my back due to a prolapsed disc. I managed to make an appointment to have the necessary operation. I also have to undergo an examination to test for COPD and I’m extremely scared of the results.
I knew I had to start looking after my health more and decided to bite the bullet and try and stop. As I have tried on my own in the past I decided to go to HMQ which had been advised by my doctor.
Clare from HMQ made contact. I am not the kind of person who is able to speak to strangers easily, so was rather skeptical and nervous about what would happen.
When I first spoke to Clare I was nervous, but as Clare was very understanding and didn't push me, by the end of that first telephone call, I felt much better. I looked forward to Clare’s call every week and she helped me gather my thoughts about stopping and how it would help with the recovery of both my operation and my health going forward.
It has now been 63 days of non-smoking and I feel so much better. I’ve had my operation and will make an appointment for the COPD test. I have found my sense of smell has increased and my blood pressure is back to a normal reading after suffering from high blood pressure for the last 15 years.
I would advise anyone who wants to give up smoking to contact HMQ as the help received is excellent.”
Get advice from the Help Me Quit team
Our Help Me Quit team will be holding information stands at the following days and locations:
Wednesday 11 March
Prince Charles Hospital Outpatients Department Entrance 5
9.30am to 2.30pm
Thursday 12 March
Princess of Wales Hospital Canteen
9.30am to 2.30pm
Royal Glamorgan Hospital Canteen
9.30am to 2.30pm
Friday 13 March
Dewi Sant Health Park Foyer
9.30am to 2.30pm
Tuesday 17 March
Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda Foyer
9.30am to 2.30pm
Chat with our advisers about how you can become smoke-free for your health, for your families, and for your future.
More information can be found on the Help Me Quit website.
11/03/26