To promote No Smoking Day 2017, the local Quit Your Way (previously known as Smokefree Hebrides) team provided information in local press and on social media during the week commencing 11-16 March 2017.

This consisted of smoking on how to quit smoking and the benefits of doing so, and featured the following testimonials which were provided by clients who had benefited from the local Smokefree Hebrides service during 2017/18:

Client Testimonial 1 – Iain MacVicar

“Last year I was standing outside my house one wet and windy Hebridean night smoking and I asked myself what am I doing?

“The Smokefree Hebrides smoking cessation service was very helpful, including ordering patches, which I needed to help me stop – but I didn’t need the patches for long as I was determined to become a non smoker for my health.”

Client Testimonial 2 – Donald

“I feel that Smokefree Hebrides has indeed helped me. I haven’t actually stopped yet but I have reduced cigarettes from 30 a day to 4/5 a day which has been a good boost to me.

“I feel much better and don’t cough in the morning like I used to. The best product that I have tried that works for me is the patches and mist.

“It definitely helps going to Smoking Cessation as I have been a heavy smoker. My advice to anyone that is thinking about stopping smoking is that stopping is such a great benefit to your health and to go to Smokefree Hebrides as they can help you.”
Client Testimonial 3 – Carl

“I decided to attend Smokefree Hebrides as someone we knew had started working there. My main reason to Quit is to improve my health. The staff are all very helpful and I have cut down from 50 to10 cigarettes a day.

“Stopping Smoking is one of the hardest things ever… but I feel that the support offered is excellent and I can call or drop in when I need to. I receive phone calls and go to their office at Laxdale Court in Stornoway about once a month for a chat with my advisor.

“I am cutting down at my pace and receive advice on NRT products and how to use them, support with cravings, triggers etc…If I had any advice I would say “drop in and see the team or give them a call. One of the best decisions you will ever make.”

Client Testimonial 4 – Samuel

“It really helped me. I had a wee bit of a struggle at the beginning as I knew I would, but it gradually got better.

“I used Champix and it really helped me. I took one in the morning and one at night-time. After about a week I didn’t really want to smoke. I did smoke the odd cigarette but half way through it I would throw it away.

“My advice to anyone looking to quit is, I know it’s hard, and it’s hard on everybody that wants to give up smoking, but I would advise you to go along to Smokefree Hebrides – go and have a chat to them.”
Client Testimonial 5 – Marlen Kwiatkowska

“The stop smoking services helped me to choose my way to cut down and I hope to get smoke-free.”

Client Testimonial 6 – Marcin Binka

“Stopping smoking has meant I feel more alive!”