My name is Zak and I live in Devonport. I was in the Navy for 26 years and now I am working in the Dockyard as a mechanical fitter.

I met Jane, the Stop Smoking Advisor, in Ker St Social Club when she was talking to the children about smoking. I had been thinking about quitting smoking for a while but I had never tried – I suppose I was just so used to smoking, it was just habit. I had been smoking since I was 13 then I was in the Navy for most of my life where tobacco was so cheap and always available. I was smoking about 20–30 rollies a day without even thinking about it.

About 3 months ago my partner’s stepdad had been diagnosed with lung cancer after smoking most of his life. This was a bit of a wake up call and I suddenly felt as though it could actually happen to me. My partner’s stepdad died last week – it was so quick from being diagnosed.

Jane told me about the support that was available and about a tablet called Champix so I decided to give it a go. I was pretty anxious at first as I have never even gone for more than four hours without smoking in 30 years – I could hardly remember a time when I didn’t smoke.

The first few days were tough but I did it and I couldn’t believe that I was actually not smoking. To keep going I thought about my children and how I wanted to do this for them as well as me. After a couple of days my sense of smell came back and my taste buds came alive – I ended up eating bags and bags of quavers. My workmates thought I was going to turn into a quaver I ate so many.

Four weeks later I am still smoke free and I feel so much better, a lot healthier. I wish I had done it sooner but I don’t suppose it is ever too late. By Christmas I will be smoke free for 3 months – I am so pleased to be celebrating Christmas this year without thinking about smoking.

For more information about quitting smoking please contact Jane Bullard at the Devonport Regeneration Company shop at Marlborough Street or call 01752 306404 or text 07920 089153. The Devonport NHS Stop Smoking Service is funded by the DRC Partnership.