Hackney man quits smoking at age 73 with support group

Julian Danquah from Hackney, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, began reducing his cigarette intake with the support of Smoke Free City & Hackney.

They provided Julian with nicotine replacement therapy and coaching, and affordable access to an oral spray to reduce his tobacco use.

Crediting the service for his progress, Julian shared his story for No Smoking Day today (March 11).

He said: "The advisor I was assigned was excellent, helpful and great to talk to. She was able to provide me with the resources, notably Nicorette Quickmist Mouthspray, to keep me from smoking the 20 or so cigarettes a day I was previously using."

He said the cost of the sprays was prohibitive as a pensioner, saying: "My main reasons for contacting the service were because, as a COPD sufferer, I needed to stop or at least vastly reduce my smoking habit. This I found I could do by using the spray.

"However, as a pensioner, the cost of the sprays was prohibitive. When I was able to receive them free from Smoke Free, my smoking was reduced to three or four cigarettes every other day and my health certainly felt improved as a result."

Syeda Begum, head of service at Smoke Free City & Hackney, said: "Quitting smoking doesn’t have to be something you do alone, you’re five times more likely to quit for good when you have behavioural support from a specialist stop smoking advisor combined with the free Nicotine Replacements Therapies and/or vapes.

"Every quit is a win, for the individual, their family and for the whole community. Quitting smoking is undoubtedly one of the most powerful choices you can make for your heath."

The scheme, which offers support for 12 weeks, is open to adults and children aged 12 and over who live, work, study, or have a GP in Hackney or the City of London. Support is available in person or over the phone.