I told my son I was quitting for my grandchildren, and there was no going back

This Stoptober, Jennifer Robinson, 54, from Wirral, is sharing how quitting smoking helped her become the grandmother she wanted to be. Jennifer quit with support from ABL Wirral’s free stop smoking service.

The moment that changed everything for me was my son telling me I wouldn’t be allowed to look after my grandchildren on my own if I carried on smoking. That was my wake-up call. I’d already given up drinking nearly eight years ago, but after I stopped alcohol, my nicotine intake doubled, and my breathing got much worse. I never thought in my lifetime that I’d be able to give up smoking too. But I did, at 53, and I feel absolutely ecstatic about it.

I’d never tried to quit smoking before my time with ABL. Going in, I felt like I’d already wasted enough of the NHS’s time, and I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to carry it through. My advisor, Sam, reassured me straight away. She just told me to sit down, and said they were there to help. I’d tell anyone thinking about it now: that’s genuinely all they do. They’re here to help.

Jennifer Robinson said,

“I felt when I went to ABL I had already wasted enough of the NHS’s time, and wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to carry it through. Sam reassured me and told me to sit down.”

One thing that really stuck with me was the tar in a jar. Sam showed me what that looked like and told me that’s what my lungs looked like too. It was a real wake-up call. And after just a week, I told my son I was stopping. Once I’d said it out loud to him, I knew there was no going back.

The difference in my life since has been huge. I can look after my grandchildren alone and properly now. I’m much more financially comfortable, too. I don’t penny-pinch anymore, and I feed myself properly. The chest and sinus infections I used to get, which were horrendous, have completely gone; I can’t believe I poisoned myself for that long. After only a few weeks smokefree, I could suddenly smell my clothes, and I had to wash everything. The smell of tobacco and nicotine makes me feel sick now. I even deep-cleaned and decorated my flat so everything felt fresh and clean, to match how I felt.

I’m not the only one who’s benefited. My kids and grandchildren see me happy and smokefree now, and my two adult sons are proud of me for quitting smoking and staying alcohol-free for nearly eight years. I walk my sons’ dogs without getting breathless, I’m much more active, and I eat far healthier than I used to.

My advice to anyone thinking about quitting

Tell someone as soon as you’ve decided. I told my son after just a week, and knowing he knew meant there was no going back for me. Let the team help you. That’s what they’re there for. You don’t have to do it alone. I couldn’t have done it by myself, and I couldn’t have asked for better support.

Jennifer Robinson added,

“I feel absolutely ecstatic that I’ve given up smoking. I never thought in my lifetime I’d be able to.”

Jennifer’s story is far from unique. Every day across Wirral, people are taking the same life-changing step towards a smokefree future. Since 2016, ABL Wirral’s stop smoking service has helped more than 13,000 local people quit for good — completely free, commissioned by Wirral Council.

Stoptober is here, and there’s never been a better time to take that first step. One of our friendly team would be happy to have a no-obligation chat about practical tips for quitting, or to talk you through the free support available.

To find out more, call 0151 541 5656 or visit ablwirral.co.uk.