Resident kicks 38-year smoking habit with Be Well Tameside

A nearly 40-year habit has been successfully stopped by resident Lee Wright with the support of Tameside Council’s stop smoking service, Be Well Tameside.

Lee Wright, 50, from Denton decided that it was time to quit his long-time smoking habit as he suffers with breathing and heart related problems.

After a failed attempt two years ago, he decided it was time to quit for good.

With free support from Be Well Tameside, Lee self-referred to the service to start a 12-week programme using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) including patches and nicotine chewing gum.

As part of the treatment plan, Be Well provided weekly phone calls to check in with Lee during his journey, gave practical advice and made sure the chosen NRT was working well for him. 

One of his main motivations aside from his health was to set a good example for his 19-year-old son. New legislation encouraging a Smokefree Generation is set to start on 1 January, 2027. From this date it will be illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. The age of sale will then increase by one year every year, eventually phasing out the sale of tobacco across the UK.

Three months on from quitting, Lee no longer smokes 30 roll ups a day and feels much healthier, he said, ‘it only took a few weeks to feel the benefit, and I sleep so much better’

Lee has even inspired two of his friends to start their stop smoking journey. 

Lee said: ‘’I knew it was the right thing to do and I feel completely different; I can see on my watch that my resting heart rates improved and I’m so much more active.’’

Lee was asked what he would say to someone who’s thinking of quitting smoking or vaping this Stoptober: ‘’I would say think of the bigger picture to motivate you.’’

He added: ‘’Stopping smoking has a positive knock-on effect not only on your health but you save so much money and your family benefits from it too. You’ll gain financially and they get a happier and healthier version of you. I wish I’d have done it earlier.’’

Complimenting his Health Improvement Worker Sals, Lee said he never felt alone and could tell she was extremely passionate about supporting others.

Tameside Council’s First Deputy and Executive Member for Population Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Michael Smith said: ‘’What an incredible achievement for Lee, he should be really proud of himself for kicking a habit he’s had for so many years.

‘’I encourage anyone else who is thinking of stopping smoking to reach out to our friendly Be Well team, they can provide free and tailored support to help you succeed in stopping smoking just like Lee.’’

Be Well have successfully helped 332 people successfully quit smoking in the last year. The flexible programme is tailored to suit people’s lifestyles, finding the most effective way to help them to quit for good.

The service also offers Swap to Stop to eligible residents, a free vape starter kit with up to 12 weeks-worth of e-liquid, alongside behavioural support to help them quit for good.

Be Well Tameside provides free and confidential advice to those who live, work, volunteer or have a GP in Tameside to quit smoking, offering personalised plans, ongoing support and access to stop smoking aids such as nicotine replacement therapies.

For confidential help to quit smoking, contact Be Well Tameside at www.tameside.gov.uk/bewelltameside or call 0161 342 5050.