Cheadle grandmother backs the Don’t Be The 1 campaign.

16th February 2018

A Stockport grandmother who ended up in hospital because of her 20 a day habit is telling her story to warn others of the dangers of smoking.

Fifty three year old Janet Abernethy, from Cheadle, is hoping that what happened to her will encourage other smokers to quit.

This follows the launch of a new Greater Manchester campaign that warns that one in two smokers will die prematurely from a smoking related disease.

Janet began smoking at school and as she got older, despite being concerned about her health, she just couldn’t stop.

But that changed two years ago after she was rushed to hospital with severe breathing difficulties. She was handed the bombshell news that she had developed long-term COPD leaving her unable to walk and breathe at the same time

Said Janet: “At first I thought it was just severe asthma. Then they ran lots of tests and I was told that it was COPD and it was all down to my smoking. It was a terrible shock. I was issued with an oxygen tank and that was the final straw. I thought ‘come on Janet, you’re killing yourself here’.

“My niece spotted information on our local stop smoking service and with that I decided that I was going to quit once and for all. Picking up the phone to ABL was the best thing I could have done, the support I got from them, and continue to get, is incredible.

“I’ve already seen a drastic change in my life. It’s a revelation being able to walk and breathe properly at the same time again. I’ll admit that quitting wasn’t easy, but I use lozenges and a nicotine spray when the cravings come back”.

“I also see one of my granddaughters every weekend and I can actually walk round to the shops with her. And I can afford to treat her too! Life is so much better now.”

Stockport’s lead GP Dr Ranjit Gill added “Janet’s story is a stark reminder of how harmful smoking is. It’s far more harmful than most smokers think.

“You may think ‘this won’t happen to me’ but actually the odds are stacked heavily against you. One in two – are they the sort of odds you want to take a risk on?”

The hard-hitting campaign not only tells smokers they face a one in two chance of dying early but also shows the devastating impact this would have on their family.

However the campaign also highlights that there is plenty of support to help people quit smoking, which drastically reduces the risk of dying prematurely.

For help to quit smoking, you can visit the Don’t be the 1 website or contact Stockport’s Stop Smoking Service called START on 0161 474 3141