Support and motivation help relatives stop their smoking habits
A family has claimed that “it’s really about the health, that is your true wealth” as they have revealed how love, support and motivation have helped them to quit smoking while improving their wellbeing and saving thousands of pounds.
Four members of the family have supported each other as they embarked on their journey to quit the habit with help from our stop smoking service.
After smoking 15 cigarettes a day for three decades, Gary Bellwood decided to seek help following the death of his mother, Shirley. Now off the cigarettes since the end of March, Gary is already noticing a positive impact on his life.
The 50-year-old, who lives in Catterick Garrison, reached out to our Living Well Smokefree service. Since regularly attending the clinics in Colburn, he says he has not had any urges to smoke, feels a lot healthier and is saving £40 a week.
Similarly, his partner Rachel Church, 60, had been smoking 10 cigarettes a day for the past 38 years. She gave up in February after being unable to afford the habit and says she feels “much healthier”.
Our executive member for health and adult services, Councillor Michael Harrison, said: “Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can ever do for your health and our Living Well Smokefree service is here to support you every step of the way.
“With the right support, you’re five times more likely to stop smoking for good and experience better health.”
The 14th annual Stoptober national campaign gets under way next month (October), with thousands of smokers taking part nationwide. This year’s theme is “Let’s Quit Smoking Together”.
Rachel’s daughter, Jade Church, of Colburn, had been smoking six cigarettes a day for the past five years. She said kicking the habit was the “best thing she did”.
Figures from Action on Smoking and Health UK (ASH) reveal there are about 52,000 smokers in North Yorkshire. Between April 2019 and March 2025, our Living Well Smokefree service has supported almost 5,000 people to quit.
Gary’s sister, Melanie Bellwood of Colburn, smoked 20 cigarettes a day for 32 years. The 47-year-old sought support after watching her mother battle cancer.
“It was an incredibly painful experience and seeing her suffer made me reflect deeply on my own wellbeing", she said. “I found the support through my sister-in-law, Rachel. She told me about the council’s smoking cessation service and recommended I speak with adviser Maggie Brown.
“It’s amazing how much more energy I have now. I’ve definitely noticed the money I’ve saved, which is a nice bonus, but for me, it’s really about the health. That’s the true wealth, and I’m so glad I made the change.”
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 you can email stop.smoking@northyorks.gov.uk.