Smoke free

Since 1 April 2018 we have been smoke free for staff, patients and visitors.

As the provider of mental health, learning disability and adult community services as well as other specialist services to the people of Cornwall we want to support your wellbeing and health. We have been operating smoke free sites for our staff since April 2017.

Want to quit now?

Call the stop smoking service now on 01209 615600 or email the smoke free team and find out how they can help.

Smoke free pledge

We have also signed the NHS smoke free pledge.

Staff story

I started smoking at the ripe old age of 13!  It was the fashionable thing where I was growing up, we all thought it made us look cool, and my older brother actually taught me how to inhale.  I was hooked immediately.  Back in those days most young teenagers managed to get part-time jobs and right from the start I was spending a good part of that wage on cigarettes.  When I started full-time work at 16 and earned more money, so my smoking increased.

Over the years I did try many times to stop but I was well and truly addicted.  If I got up in the night I’d smoke.  I’d have at least 3 cigarettes before I left home for work.  If I smelled the nicotine on my fingers it would make me want another ciggy.

My older brother had cancer just before I turned 50, recovered and still smokes.  Both of my parents died of cancer-related illnesses.  I myself was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2011 and although I was advised to stop I did not.  In March of 2013 for some reason I just decided that I would give it a go.  Fortunately for me at that time we had a stop smoking advisor visiting the ward I work on.  She provided me with Champix tablets.  The first time they didn’t work, I think I imagined I just had to swallow these and would never want to smoke again.  That though is not how it worked as I took the pills and continued to give in to the cravings.  She checked in with me whenever she came to the ward and I think it was a month’s supply she provided at a time. After I think 2 month I just must have been in the right ‘headset, I stopped and I’ve not smoked a cigarette since although have had many incidences where I was tempted, deaths of family and friends and any other times of stress.  A lot of people who know me can hardly believe that I managed it after 43 years of being addicted.

I still miss it and almost stalk some people if they’re smoking just so I can get a whiff!

My biggest regret that I didn’t stop sooner is the amount of money I’ve spent over the years.  Close second is the effect it’s had on my skin.  If I could turn the clock back but have a picture of my face as it is now I’d probably have thrown the ciggies straight in the bin.

I’d urge young people to stop before they become really addicted, if for no other reason than to think how it will make them look in later years.

I honestly believe that anyone can stop if I could and if this little story helps even one person it will be worth-while.

Jan Graham

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