Vicki's Story

Today we chat to Vicki who came to One You Lincolnshire to stop smoking, over the last 12 weeks she has been working with Steve, one of our Stop Smoking Practitioners. Vicki wouldn’t have said she was a heavy smoker, she could only manage 7 a day because her kids didn’t know she smoked, however when she was child free and on a night out she would describe herself as a full on smoker!!

‍So Vicki, how did you hear about One You Lincolnshire and our Stop Smoking Pathway?

I heard about it from my boss who was also on the programme and she was finding it really helpful. She had quit and said I should try it.

How did you feel about smoking before you started your journey with us?

I really liked it, really enjoyed it and I didn’t want to give up, but I also didn’t like being controlled by it either. I have smoked since I was 14 and the cigarettes controlled me, but I didn’t like the smell of them and I didn’t like the fact I would rush the kids to bed to try and sneak one in.

And how did you find your first week with us?

I spoke to Steve and he told me about all the options and I said that I wanted to try the medication but I was nervous that it would affect my sleeping and my mood. I really struggle with night terrors and knowing that vivid dreams could be a side effect worried me. I also knew that your mood could dip when you stop smoking and I really didn’t want that to happen. I chatted this through with Steve and he said that if there was any problem with the Champix I could stop it and it would be out of my system within three days, this made me feel a lot better about taking it. I also chatted to an online friend who also struggles with her mood and hormones, and she said that she used Champix and it was the best thing she had ever done, and I should try it.

Once you had decided to quit and the type of quit aid you would use, what happened then?

I started taking the tablets, and at first they made me feel a bit sick, so Steve said I could reduce the dose and take just one tablet a day and that helped massively. My whole world changed within three days, I carried on trying to smoke but it was disgusting. Reduced to 1 a day. Within the first week I had completely I had reduced my smoking to one a day, and within 2 weeks I had completely stopped. I was over the moon.

What were the benefits of stopping smoking for you?

One of the unexpected benefits was that there was no difference in my sleep pattern, my dreams were normal, and where my hormones had been really tricky and I was expecting there to be a big negative impact there wasn’t!

Because the Champix helps with cravings I didn’t start eating more either. I also made sure that I drank a lot of water which also helped me to start losing weight.

I have had so much more energy and time, I can’t believe how tired the cigarettes made me and how much time I wasted on smoking, not just actually smoking but looking for an opportunity to smoke, having to plan breaks into my day to get my fix.

I have also managed to save so much money, after the first two week I could afford to get my hair, nails and lashes done and this was just from the money that I had saved by not smoking.

The other thing is that I have always felt clouded and foggy but since stopping, my mind feels clear and I feel in control for the first time. I also went to the pub with some friends at the end of the first week and I had a really good night, and even though I was drinking I didn’t smoke once! I was so proud of myself, I didn’t break and I didn’t even crave it.

How do you feel about smoking now?

I definitely feel like a non-smoker now, I am proud to be a non-smoker and it isn’t even a part of my thought process anymore which is great because I thought it was going to be really hard, but it hasn’t been at all.

What would you say to anyone thinking about giving up?

Absolutely do it, nothing to lose and everything to gain. My Stop Smoking Practitioner, Steve, was amazing, very supportive and very understanding, couldn't have done it without him. He really helped me to understand what the process was and how much I would gain from stopping.

What to find out more about our stop smoking service?

The information and advice within this blog are not intended to replace any medical advice, with all our clients we seek to address their individual needs and circumstances - this includes any adaptations required for long- or short-term health conditions and medications. Please seek medical advice if you have any health conditions before considering a lifestyle change. If you would like to address any of the content of this blog, please email us

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