Richard Kemp’s quit story

A Barnsley man is urging others to follow his lead as part of a campaign encouraging South
Yorkshire smokers to access dedicated, free local support services – having surprised
himself by quitting after more than 50 years.

Richard Kemp, 68, admits he had little confidence that he’d manage to beat his addiction, his
smoking having spiralled following the sudden death of his wife Wendy three years ago.

Richard is sharing his story through the South Yorkshire Tobacco Control Alliance. “It
worked for me, it could work for you” campaign, encouraging smokers to visit Smokefree
Starts online to access free support from their local stop smoking services across Barnsley,
Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Having now gone more than three months without a cigarette, he praises the support he
received from Barnsley local stop smoking service, saying it gave him the confidence and
tools to quit for good.

Services offer free tailored support and personalised quit plans aimed at putting people at
ease, smokers can choose to be supported in one-to-one or group sessions, with support
offered face to face, over the telephone or online, at times to suit their schedule.
Free nicotine replacement therapy, vapes, and stop smoking medications are amongst the
options available to help people, but Richard says it was the support and understanding of
his dedicated advisor that made the difference through the Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley
Service.

“I had no confidence in myself to do it because I’d smoked so much, for so many years. I
used to joke that as I went through that much tobacco, I must have been smoking in my
sleep,” said Richard, who worked in transport for 40 years.

“I thought I’d give it a go, but I didn’t believe in myself. Here I am now though, more than
three months since my last cigarette.”

“My stop smoking advisor made all the difference, we just clicked, and he was never
judgmental, even when I returned in my second week and admitted I’d smoked a few times.
He just reminded me why I was doing it, and how the nicotine treatments were helping.”

A heart scare led to decision to stop.

The trigger for Richard seeking specialist support came shortly before last Christmas, when
he was told he needed an operation to replace a heart valve.
Having already been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 18
months ago, he says it was a pivotal moment.

“I’d smoked increasing amounts since my wife died three years ago. I think part of it was
giving my something to do, but you also go through a period where you think ‘so what’. That
is how I was,” he said.“ After being told I needed the heart valve operation, I suddenly
thought, why am I continuing to smoke when I’m having treatments and operations to
improve my health.

“I opted to use the nicotine patches and spray, and I started to see results in just over a
week. I wasn’t feeling out of breath as often and had more energy, and I think that really
spurred me on to keep going.

“I counted the days without a cigarette at the start, but now I don’t. I can walk much further,
and up the Barnsley hills easier, and I’ve lost a couple of stones in weight, so I’m feeling well
and hopefully fighting fit for when I do have my operation.

“I’d never have quit without using my local Yorkshire Smokefree service in Barnsley. It was
nothing like I expected. I got on so well with my advisor, we just clicked, and I quickly felt
confident that I’d do it this time. I’d urge anyone to give it a go.”