Two decades after quitting, Sarah from South Oxfordshire says she continues to benefit from the life-changing decision. Now in her 60s, Sarah encourages others to quit smoking, citing the support available through Oxfordshire Council. Sarah began smoking as a teenager with her peers, when the habit was considered fashionable.
She detailed her experience saying: "I was very much into the pub and club scene when growing up and smoking went hand in hand with drinking and dancing." Fitness enthusiast Sarah initially aimed to reduce smoking to improve her fitness. However, a visit to her dentist in her forties accentuated the damage smoking had done.
"Ironically, I was also very much into my fitness at that time and regularly attended aerobic classes and gym sessions. "I was starting to get a bit wheezy while using some of the cardiac equipment and thought it would be helpful if I cut down. "But the main reason I quit was because I lost most of my top teeth due to gum disease," Sarah shared.
Her smile was restored through a costly dental surgery which necessitated a complete cessation of smoking. She noticed a distinct improvement in her overall health after quitting. Sarah said: "I am now a fairly healthy weight and am very active.
"I attend a gym two to three times a week and go hiking regularly with friends and with local rambler groups, walking between 20 to 30 miles a week. I’m pretty sure I would have been unable to do that if I had carried on smoking 60 cigarettes a day! .
