Jimmy Jones of Widnes chosen to front NHS stop-smoking campaign

Dec 12 2011 by Mark Smith, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

A HALTON man who quit a 50-a-day cigarette habit has become one of the faces of a stop-smoking drive.

Jimmy Jones from Hough Green, Widnes, was chosen as one of Bridgewater Health Care Trust’s ‘quit heroes’, and borough health chiefs hope he will inspire others to follow his lead and kick smoking into touch.

Jimmy said the decision has changed his life.

He said: “I smoked out of boredom really.

“I’d probably smoke 20-a-day but it could be as much as 50-a-day if I was going out.

“I really wanted to quit for myself. I’m just better off without the ciggies. My girlfriend also said it was like kissing an ashtray.

“I went to the clinic and they made me feel at home straight away.

“The staff explained everything about quitting and it was just so easy to understand.

Julie Tipton – manages the support stop smoking service – said: “I would like to congratulate our ex smokers who have brought this campaign to life and pass on my personal thanks for them not only quitting through our service, but the impact they will now have on many other smokers who are also looking for that trigger to stop.

“Without their support we would not have been able to run this campaign. Having their personal quit story to hand as well as using their photograph will mean so much to them as well as many others.”

Smoking remains the single biggest preventable cause of early death, killing 35 people a day (13,000 each year) in the North West alone.

Jimmy added: “You need to have the willpower to do it.

“Make sure you really want to give quitting a good shot but definitely go see the support team.

“It’s certainly changed my life.”

To quit call 01928 593 043.