'I packed in smoking for son-in-law'
A PENSIONER who quit smoking after lighting up for 55 years urged others to break the habit today.
Hilda Wright gave up just weeks before her 70th birthday and hopes her success will encourage others to take action on No Smoking Day today.
Now aged 71, Hilda decided to kick her 20-a-day habit on September 9, 2008.
And she felt so much better that last year she took part in the Race for Life at Trentham Gardens to raise money for Cancer Research.
Almost one million people in the UK quit on No Smoking Day each year. But for Hilda, her incentive to give up was much more personal.
Her non-smoking son-in-law, Mark Hardy, was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and died aged 45 in last year.
Hilda, who lives in Tunstall Road, Biddulph, said: "I had never really wanted to give up. I had smoked since I was 15 years old.
"But when my son-in-law was battling cancer it put my mind to stopping. I felt I should be battling with him, in a way.
"I didn't have a craving for cigarettes. It was more of a habit. I told myself I would be a non-smoker by my 70th birthday – six weeks from when I quit – and I was."
Hilda's daughter Louise Milne, who runs smoking cessation classes, said motivation is the key.
She said: "There often has to be a trigger. That can be anything from a health scare to seeing the benefits of giving up in someone else.
"National No Smoking Day is a useful way to focus, although if someone isn't motivated it can just be a grand gesture."
Maxine Browne, a former volunteer liaison officer, has decided to give up smoking after 25 years.
The 41-year-old from Norton has tried before and went to Louise's cessation class in Cobridge for the first time last week.
She said: "I want to stop. My mum died last year as a result of smoking-related illnesses and I have also had health problems.
"Louise's class gave me the kick up the backside I needed."
A number of events will be taking place to mark the day.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service staff will hand out information on fire safety relating to smoking at Asda in Wolstanton (10am-3pm) and outside Vue cinema in Newcastle (4-7pm).
Staff from NHS Stoke-on-Trent are at Fenton Sixth Form College between 11am and 2pm to hand out information to students and staff.
NHS North Staffordshire is giving free weekly support sessions at Milehouse Primary Care Centre, Lymebrook Way, Newcastle, every Monday (3.30-6.30pm), Leek Health Centre, Fountain Street, every Tuesday (3.30-6pm), and The Midway Medical and Walk In Centre, Morston House, The Midway, Newcastle, every Friday (3.30-6.30pm).
2 Comments
by Warren, Meir
Friday, March 12 2010, 9:11AM
“Not meny of the silly smokers shooting there mouths off like thet normaly do hear, it seems like they have all buncked off for a fag, or droped down dead.
Well done Hilda, good on ya' duck.”
by Mick Penning, newcastle, staffs
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 7:29PM
“Another interesting statistic...
If two people each buys a packet of 20 per day, say from the age of 18, and continues on that scenario until say, 40 years old, but for some strange and perverse reason one of them chooses to put each cigarette in water -at various times of the day, whilst the other takes the more 'normal' approach -and lights them -inhaling the smoke -then the former who 'drowns, rather than burns' the bloody thing is economically much better off.
How can this be? Simple, those over 40 who have never smoked are 90% more likely to be fitter and healthier -with better long term prospects -less time off work with bronchitis -and all the other more serious smoking related deseases -and therefore more likely to be promoted etc etc.
The fact that they 'coughed up' the cost of the 20 packet of fags but never smoked one is irrelevant to the economics of the scenario -so did the one who 'dices with death' (don't forget the warning on the packet)...... smoke for thought.
NB 'drowning fags is theraputic' and keeps the evil blighters from taking over -as your so called friends.”