October 17th 2024.
My dad was a big collector of cigarette cards, and just like him, I followed in his footsteps. I remember the day he passed away from lung cancer, it was November 21, 2001 at 1pm. My aunt turned to me and said those two words that would change my life forever – "He's gone." I was sitting in my living room in Poole, feeling the weight of my father's struggle with cancer finally coming to an end. He was only 66 years old.
As I processed the news, I found myself instinctively opening the sliding doors and stepping outside into the garden. Without thinking, I lit up a cigarette and took a deep breath. As I exhaled, I couldn't help but think of my dad lying in that hospital bed just moments ago – surrounded by wires, machines, and the slow drip of morphine. It was a haunting image, one that made me realize the truth about the dangers of smoking. My daughter Olivia flashed through my mind, and I couldn't help but worry for her future if I continued down this path.
My dad had started smoking as a young teenager and quickly became a hooked customer. I can still remember the thick haze of smoke that filled our living room and the stacks of cigarette cards he would collect with every purchase, neatly organized in rubber bands on our dining room sideboard. I was only 13 when I first picked up a cigarette. It seemed like all my friends were doing it and I wanted to fit in. I fueled my habit by scrounging for change, picking up discarded butts from bus stops and pavements. Addiction had a tight grip on me, and I was puffing away 20 cigarettes a day at the peak of my habit.
It's a scary statistic that two-thirds of people who smoke start before they are 18, and two in three smokers will die from tobacco-related diseases. Just like my dad, I would also collect the cards inserted in each packet of Silk Cut cigarettes. It was like a toxic loyalty scheme, trading in years of my life for household items. I even gave my mum two silver candle holders that I had earned from collecting the cards. The irony was not lost on me.
But it wasn't until I saw my brother successfully start his journey to stop smoking that I began to have hope. Secretly smoking in the garden, I knew I needed to make a change. I was no longer the fit, sporty kid I used to be. A simple cold would knock me out for weeks. And most of all, I was afraid of the example I was setting for my children – Olivia and Will. Addiction is a powerful force, and it took me nearly three decades and multiple failed attempts to finally break free.
It wasn't easy, and anyone who has grappled with addiction can understand the constant battle I faced. I tried gum, patches, pills, and even hypnotherapy. But it wasn't until my brother recommended a stop smoking service that I finally found success. It took me years to finally make that 30-second phone call that changed my life.
I vividly remember arriving at the clinic on a cold, grey day in November 2009. It was the start of my journey to break free from the grip of cigarettes. After being confronted with the harmful chemicals in cigarettes, we were invited to throw our packets onto a huge pile in the corner of the room. It was a symbolic gesture, and I threw in my lighter and cigarettes with determination. I never touched them again.
It's been 14 years and 10 months since my last cigarette, and I am proud to say I am one of the eight in 10 people who have tried to stop smoking. But I can't help but worry about the funding for smoking services and how it could deprive others of the chance to quit. Last week, I calculated how much money I would have wasted if I had continued smoking 20 cigarettes a day. The number was staggering – I had reached £20,000 and had to stop counting. That's money I could have used for so many other things, like paying off my mortgage, going on holidays with my children, or even buying my dream sports car.
If you want to help make a difference, I urge you to support Cancer Research UK's Smokefree UK campaign. It calls on the UK Government to raise the age of sale for tobacco to protect future generations from the dangers of smoking. It's a cause that is close to my heart, as I have seen firsthand the devastating effects of smoking on my own family.
I made the decision to leave my commercial job and work for Cancer Research UK, dedicating my life to helping rid the world of what killed my dad. When I look back at the day he passed away, I no longer feel guilty. It was the spark that ignited my journey to quit, and I am now 54 years old and about to complete my 50th marathon in his memory.
Our politicians have the chance to protect the nation's health by raising the age of sale for tobacco. This historic legislation would mean that my children's children will never legally be able to buy cigarettes. When it comes to saving lives and preventing avoidable deaths, we cannot afford to be complacent. We must take action and stub out smoking for good. Do you have a story to share? I encourage you to reach out and join the fight against smoking. Together, we can make a difference.
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