An inspirational local resident has thanked our stop smoking service after successfully quitting the habit he had for more than six decades, improving his health and saving £200 a month.
Terry Wilkinson, from Whitby, had been smoking since the age of 14 and despite several attempts to quit over the years, the 79-year-old had never managed to stop for good.
Earlier this year, following a spell in hospital with severe breathing problems, doctors advised him that stopping smoking was essential for his health.
After seeking advice from his local pharmacist, he was referred to the council’s Living Well Smoke Free service and was advised to switch to a nicotine-only vape. He arranged for the equipment and supplies to be delivered the following day.
The father-of-two quit smoking on June 12 and has not smoked a cigarette since.
He said: "I started smoking when I was 14 and apart from a few short breaks, smoked continuously for 65 years.
“Over the years I tried various ways to quit, but nothing seemed to work. The support from council advisor Selina Branagan has been fantastic. She visited me very quickly, talked me through the options and suggested a nicotine vape.
“Since stopping smoking my health has improved dramatically and I feel so much better. Financially, it's made a huge difference too. I was spending around £200 a month on cigarettes and the savings have even helped me towards buying a new electric car!”
Terry, who has six grandchildren, added: “I would encourage anyone thinking about quitting to get in touch with the council because the support is there and it really works.”
Executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and shows that it is never too late to quit smoking.
"Stopping smoking is one of the best things people can do for their health, whatever their age. Our advisers provide tailored support and access to a range of quitting aids to help people find the approach that works best for them.
"We congratulate former smokers like Terry on reaching new milestones and thank them for sharing their story to inspire others who may be considering taking their first step towards becoming smoke-free."
Cllr Harrison is encouraging smokers to take part in Stoptober, the national campaign that challenges people to quit smoking for 28 days. Research shows that people who stop smoking for 28 days are significantly more likely to quit for good.
According to statistics, almost six million adults in England smoke and it remains the single leading cause of preventable death, leading to approximately 64,000 deaths a year. Figures from Action on Smoking and Health UK reveal there are about 47,000 smokers in North Yorkshire.
Between April 2019 and March 2026, our Living Well Smokefree service has supported almost 6,000 people to quit.
Among those who have benefited is Lucy Davis who learned about the stop smoking service through her GP. She contacted the team after several unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking on her own.
Combined with nicotine patches and a vape, advisors played a “crucial role” in helping the mother-of-two stop smoking in June last year.
Lucy, from Skipton, said: “Since stopping smoking, I have noticed huge improvements to my health including better breathing, improved taste and smell, healthier skin, whiter teeth, better sleep and no recurring chest infections or persistent cough.
“I also enjoy having extra money each month to spend on myself and my daughters. The support from Gina Naylor and the team has been crucial and has made all the difference and helped me to achieve something I am extremely proud of.”
Our Living Well Smokefree service is available to anyone who lives or works in North Yorkshire or is registered with a GP in the county. The service can be contacted on 01609 797272 or via email at stop.smoking@northyorks.gov.uk. See more details about the service.
Residents can also get free access for six months to all the features of the Smoke Free app, helping them manage cravings, track health improvements and see how much money they have saved by quitting. The app also offers support from stop smoking experts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
As part of the programme, residents can access free stop smoking aids worth up to £300, including nicotine replacement therapy, medication and vapes. Download the Smoke Free app and find out more.