Tag: Quit Your Way

“Quit Your Way saved my life”

A Glasgow man is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his “lifesaving” decision to stop smoking by helping people from his local community to follow in his path.

Jim Peddie, 59, from Easterhouse, said the free help he received from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Quit Your Way service in 2016 was a major turning point for his health and finances, and he now feels duty bound to help others experience the benefits of a smoke-free life.

“There’s no doubt about it, Quit Your Way saved my life,” Jim said. “I started smoking when I was 14 and I’m now 59. I never thought I could quit but I was constantly thinking about how bad it was for me, then I’d get stressed about that, then have a fag to calm down.

“I tried going cold turkey, I tried acupuncture, I paid for a hypnotist, but nothing worked until I went to the group at Easterhouse Health Centre and met the team there.”

Jim’s quit journey started when he needed to save up enough money to send his son on a once-in-a-lifetime school trip to New York. He received 12 weeks of face-to-face behaviour change support and a prescription of free stop smoking medication Champix through Quit Your Way at his local health centre, saving around £70 a week and financing his son’s trip.

The same type of support is available across NHSGGC today, with Champix replacement Varenicline proving to be one of the most effective products in a wide range of supports available to help people quit.

Quit Your Way also offers help in one-to-one settings, through telephone support, the Smokefree app or through NHS pharmacies. Specialist supports are also in place to help people stop smoking in local prisons, mental health and maternity services.

After recently reuniting with the NHS staff who helped him a decade ago, Jim’s now a man on a mission, speaking to the new people attending the weekly group in Easterhouse about his journey.

“I’m here to pass on the support I got all those years ago,” Jim added.

“Stopping smoking will save your life. There are people who will support you and, as the name suggests, you can Quit Your Way. If you’ve ever thought about quitting, reach out for support.”

Trish Thomson is an NHS Quit Your Way practitioner at the Easterhouse group – which meets every Thursday 10 – 11am – and was there when Jim quit in 2016.

She said: “The most important thing for people to understand is that we are here to help them navigate their quit journey and with the support of the Quit Your Way specialist staff and other group members you are more likely to remain smoke-free.

“Jim’s a brilliant example of that. He came to us with a desire to stop after trying lots of different ways. We found what motivated him, gave him the right medication, and supported him until he was eventually smoke-free.”

Jim’s story comes as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages people to quit smoking as part of No Smoking Day TODAY – 11 March 2026.

The prevalence of smoking continues to decline in Scotland each year, but tobacco remains one of the main drivers of ill-health across Greater Glasgow and Clyde and disproportionately affects people living in deprived communities.

Amidst a slowing of quit rates nationally, NHSGGC has recently re-introduced the highly effective stop smoking medication Varenicline – previously known as Champix – as one of the many supports available to people who want to quit.

To find out more, visit www.nhsggc.scot/quityourway or call 0800 916 8858.

#NSD26

Ex-smokers back new national quitting campaign

NHSGGC and Public Health Scotland encourage smokers to ‘Quit Your Way’

A trio of people who quit smoking after a combined 120 years have backed a new national campaign aimed at helping smokers across Scotland quit.

Alan Duthie from Easterhouse, Karen Turnbull from Clydebank and Patricia Weir from Port Glasgow are complete strangers to each other, but they all have one thing in common – they all smoked from their early teens through to middle age, developing an addiction that impacted their health and drained their finances.

However, with free support from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, they now have one more thing in common – they’re all smoke-free thanks to Quit Your Way and they’re urging anyone who smokes to do the same.

Quit Your Way is the free national stop smoking service which offers information, advice and support, including nicotine replacement products and medication, to people who want to stop smoking.

In Greater Glasgow and Clyde, people can get face to face help to quit in groups or one-to-one settings, telephone support, access to a free app or help through their local pharmacy – all at no-cost. There’s also specialist help in maternity, mental health and prison services.

With around 600,000 people in Scotland still addicted to tobacco products, a fresh campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the range of free and confidential support available to help people stop smoking and stay stopped.

And Alan, Karen and Patricia – who all quit individually through NHSGGC support – are collectively encouraging anyone who wants to stop smoking to get in touch with Quit Your Way and take their first step towards going smoke-free.

Alan, 51, who’s six years smoke-free and got support at Easterhouse Health Centre, said: “I now see myself as a non-smoker, and other members of my family have joined me in quitting.

“I’d say to anyone who’s thinking of giving up – seize the opportunity and reach out for support. There’s always help and encouragement and the Quit Your Way team will gladly give you the assistance and encouragement you need.”

Karen, 55, who quit last April through Clydebank Health Centre, said: “Stopping smoking was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do but if I can do it, you can too.

“I called up the help line and got one-to-one support within a week. It made a huge difference and smoking just isn’t a part of my life anymore.”

Patricia, 62, who had her last cigarette in August 2025 and quit using the medication Varenicline, said: “I had tried before but the support from Quit Your Way made a difference this time.

“I’d been really ill and decided it was time to quit and now I feel much better and have more money in my pocket.”

Lisa Buck, NHSGGC Quit Your Way programme manager, said: “Stopping smoking brings health and wellbeing benefits within days and it can also save people thousands of pounds each year.

“Quit Your Way advisers can help people choose the free support that suits them best and with our help you’re more likely to stop smoking and stop for good.”

To find out more or to speak to a Quit Your Way advisor visit www.QuitYourWay.scot, drop in to your local pharmacy or call 0800 84 84 84.

Edinburgh residents urged to aim for a tobacco-free 2025

ASH Scotland is encouraging people in Edinburgh who smoke to aim for a tobacco-free 2025 to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

The health charity’s call is part of its campaign promoting NHS Scotland’s free, expert stop-smoking support services.

Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful steps a person can take to lower their risk of long-term smoking-related illnesses, and also save money.

When people decide to make give up smoking their New Year’s resolution, not only will they find their health can improve but also an average smoker can save in the region of £250 by the end of January.

60% of people in Scotland who have given up smoking did not use anything to aid their quit attempts while 25% used Nicotine Replacement Therapy such as gum, patches and lozenges.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Tobacco can be highly addictive so, if you’ve tried to quit before and gone back to smoking, don’t be discouraged. Each attempt helps you to understand better what methods work best for you.

“Giving up tobacco is the most important step you can take to improve your health, your finances, and the wellbeing of you and those around you. And you don’t have to face quitting alone.

“This New Year, we encourage people to reach out to local stop-smoking services or the national Quit Your Way Scotland service. With their specialist support, you’ll gain the confidence, tools, and motivation you need to have a tobacco-free 2025.”



For tips and resources to help you quit smoking, visit QuitYourWay.Scot or call the Quit Your Way Scotland free helpline on 0800 84 84 84.

North Edinburgh residents invited to No Smoking Day event in Pilton

Health charity ASH Scotland is urging North Edinburgh residents to attend an event organised by the Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) on No Smoking Day tomorrow (Wednesday 8 March).

People who smoke and attend the event in PCHP’s Community Hub at 73 Boswall Parkway between 12 midday and 1pm will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the charity and NHS Lothian’s Quit Your Way service, which provides person-centred support to help stop smoking attempts.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland said: “Our charity’s theme for No Smoking Day is ‘Quit and Win’ and, through our campaigning and engagement at this event hosted by Pilton Community Health Project, we look forward to encouraging more people in NorthEdinburgh to make attempts to quit smoking to benefit their health, wellbeing and personal finances.”

Dawn Anderson, Director of PCHP said: “We are delighted to support our Community Wellbeing partnerASH Scotland with its No Smoking Day campaign and encourage people who smoke, their families, friends and neighbours to come along, share some lunch, and tell their stories about smoking, quitting or trying to quit.  They will also have the chance to get some personalised advice from the experts about the best way for them to stop.

“The informal event will include lunch and those who take part will also receive a small gift card to thank them for sharing their experiences. We hope people who have already given up smoking will also come along and offer support to those starting out on their quit journey.”

If you live in North Edinburgh and would like to register for the event contact PCHP on 0131 551 1571 or email Dawn Anderson on dawnanderson@pchp.org.uk .

Anyone who has the goal of giving up smoking but unable to attend the event can contact a Quit Your Way adviser by calling the free helpline on 0800 848484 or create a quit plan at www.quityourway.scot. 

Gordon Macdonald MSP urges Edinburgh smokers to ‘Quit Your Way’

Gordon MacdonaldMSP has backed national No Smoking Day by urging Edinburgh residents to consider giving up smoking to improve both mental and physical health.

The MSP is supporting a campaign led by health charity, ASH Scotland, which is encouraging people to ‘Quit Your Way’ in ways which work best for individual circumstances by seeking advice and support from stop smoking services, community pharmacies or the national Quit Your Way Scotland service run by NHS 24.

Although smoking rates in NHS Lothian health board area dropped to 18 per cent in 2018, more progress is required if the Scottish Government’s ambitious target of reducing the rate to five per cent or less by 2034 is to be met.

Gordon MacdonaldMSP said: “I am pleased to be supporting ASH Scotland’s No Smoking Day campaign and urge my constituents in Edinburgh Pentlands who smoke to reach out to stop smoking services and community pharmacies who provide free support and can help develop a personalised quit plan.

“I encourage people to try quitting again, if a previous attempt did not work. ASH Scotland advises me that some people find giving up cigarettes or tobacco easier than they had thought but, for others, it can take a number of attempts. It is worth giving quitting smoking another go for the benefits to both mental and physical health.”

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have Gordon Macdonald MSP’s support for our No Smoking Day campaign encouraging herconstituents in Edinburgh Pentlands.

“Nicotine is highly addictive but, with the right support to meet individual needs, quitting smoking your way can quickly improve mental health and, within a year of stopping, the risk of coronary heart disease reduces by half compared to someone who smokes.”

Anyone in Lothian who has the goal of giving up smoking can get in touch with Lothian’s Quit Your Way team on Facebook or phone the Quit Your Way Scotland’s national helpline on 0800 848484. More information is also available at www.quityourway.scot.

Smoker? Don’t Wait!

New stop smoking campaign urges people to quit now

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothian, have partnered together to support those who wish to quit smoking, by launching a new campaign; ‘Don’t Wait’.

Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in Scotland, and this joint campaign between Scotland’s three largest health boards focuses on the harms smoking can cause and the range of free NHS stop smoking services available to help stub out the addiction.

The campaign features NHS respiratory consultant, Dr Colin Church, emphasising it’s never too late to see the benefits that come from quitting smoking. Watch the video here.

Robbie Preece, Tobacco Control Programme Manager, NHS Lothian, added: “Working across the three largest boards in Scotland allows us to share resources and we’re aiming to have a larger impact with this campaign.

“We are offering telephone and video support, and relaying the key message that quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health.”

Geraldine Lucas, Tobacco Control Lead, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Working in partnership with colleagues across the central belt will allow us to raise the profile of our Quit Your Way stop smoking services which have continued to offer information, advice and support, including nicotine replacement therapy or Champix to people who smoke throughout the pandemic.

“Smoking tobacco damages the lungs and airways causing a range of severe respiratory problems and right now, more than ever, we want to encourage all people who smoke to give quitting a go.”

Shirley Mitchell, Tobacco Control Programme Manager, NHS Lanarkshire commented: “It’s inspiring to see that people are still looking to quit smoking, during such challenging times.

“We have adapted our services, in line within coronavirus restrictions, to be able to continue to support not only those looking to quit, but also their family members and anyone who has queries in regards to stopping smoking.

 “Through partnership working, we will be in a much stronger position to raise awareness of this free NHS service available.”

Smoking is linked to many illnesses and long-term conditions, substantially increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, stroke and cancer.

Quit Your Way is a free NHS stop smoking service. To find out more about the stop smoking services and to access the best support to quit in your area, call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.

Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday – Friday from 9am until 5pm.

You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support.