West Sussex dad tells how he quit smoking for his family

Tim Eves used to smoke 20 cigarettes a day and had tried to quit but struggled.

But the 44-year-old wanted to give up the habit for his family.

“My key motivation for quitting was my family. I want to be around for as long as possible and I knew that smoking was really going to affect this,” he said.

Tim, from Rustington, was given support to quit through West Sussex County Council’s wellbeing programme.

He said: “I was on 20 cigarettes a day and had tried to quit before but without help. I never really thought I would be able to do it but with the fantastic support from Sally, a smoking cessation adviser at Horsham Wellbeing, I am now over three months smoke-free.

“Meeting up every week was such an important part of the process and really gave me the help and incentive I needed to carry on. I did have cravings along the way but never thought I was close to picking up a cigarette again.

“I feel so much healthier now and am currently training for a 10k run in support of Nerve Tumours UK, to help my youngest son Wilbur with his condition.”

Tim Eves quit smoking for his family (Image: Tim Eves)

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West Sussex County Council’s public health team is urging smokers who are thinking of quitting to take on the challenge of “Stoptober” to plan ahead.

Stoptober is a 28-day challenge that takes place every October. It is based on research that shows if you stop smoking for 28 days then you are five times more likely to stop for good.

Councillor Bob Lanzer, West Sussex County Council cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “Stoptober is a time when many people decide to quit smoking. Quitting smoking will not only improve your health but also help you save money.

“Planning ahead and making use of the free support services available to you, as someone who lives or works in West Sussex, will really make a difference and help you quit smoking for good.”