Our first testimony comes from 58-year-old Mrs. Clarence Ejike, grandmother to two beautiful children. She reported missing exciting milestones, especially the younger granddaughter Divine’s first word because she stepped out to smoke. It really hurt her to have missed those precious moments.
She often used sprays and candles to conceal the smell of cigarettes on her clothes. After her husband’s demise she moved in with her daughter to help with the grandchildren. She often took measures like washing her clothes twice and smoking outside the house away from the children to prevent them from inhaling any smoke, until one day she hugged the older grandchild Endurance goodbye when she was leaving for school, surprisingly Endurance had to cover her nose in disgust of the cigarette smell oozing from grandma.
Soon Grandma made her mind up after seeking help, she came up with a quit plan with the help of her doctors, and shared it with her daughter and friends who were more than willing to help. Her friend who had been a smoker understood that she needed distractions to keep her mind off smoking. She engaged in knitting activities, knitting blankets, hair nets, etc. for her daughter and grandchildren, played cards, and joined a group of similar guys working on dropping the smoking habit. It was a good experience for her meeting others which helped her stay more active and dedicated to quitting.
Today, she is 4 years free and doesn’t feel like an exhausted, out-of-breath old woman anymore. She feels younger all round, she can breathe better, and she doesn’t miss any more beautiful moments on the excuse of smoking. She is no more stinky grandma she said jokingly.
Our second testimony comes from Dayo who started smoking as early as the age of 13. He recounted his first smoking experience among his friends where he choked on the cigarette smoke puff and was made fun of, he had to master the act to feel among, and in no time smoking was a norm for him.
Dayo has always been active in sport, playing football, he had a gym membership, always exercised, yet he had spent a great deal of his life as a smoker.
The life changing moment for him came when he had the flu and really struggled with breathing, especially at night. He sought medical care with the expectation of getting antibiotics. The doctor on call suggested a lung function test. The test reported him to have struggled with emptying his lungs and his respiration having a wheezy sound. Early signs of emphysema was diagnosed which really scared him. He therefore proceeded to quit smoking.
He advised anyone who’s considering quitting smoking to go see their doctor and work out what method is going to work for them. His journey to quitting was not an easy affair as he tried different options which proved abortive, NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) tablets eventually worked for him.
Dayo is a 27-year-old man today free from smoking for about 5 years and counting. He told us he could not imagine been 40 and getting told he had lung cancer knowing fully well he was responsible for it; he would not be able to live with himself. He took his fate in his own hands and he is enjoying the dividends of a smoke free life.
He advises young men and ladies out there not to make smoking a lifestyle, he told us that it is just not worth it.
So, there you have it. Dropping the habit is very well possible. Just make up your mind today and seek help. Be rest assured, you are not alone. Life is more beautiful than to blow it all on smoke. You can save your life today.