Maree decided now was the time to quit because she has a granddaughter on the way and couldn’t bear the thought of a baby smelling the smoke and nicotine.

With some good advice from a QuitTas counsellor, she timed quitting with a trip away to remove herself from normal routines.

Since quitting she has found so many good things about being a non-smoker.  Her sense of smell is so much better and can’t believe how bad smokers smell now, she never realised!

Her headaches have gone and her teeth are less sensitive. But above all she feels really good about it.

“You’re stronger than what you think you are. I feel better about myself when I do beat the cravings and wake up so happy I did.  I don’t want to feel regret the next day.”

Her advice is: you’ve got to keep trying even though you might not get it the first try.

“Wendy, my counsellor, I couldn’t have done it without her. She always said you’ll get cravings but it will only last 15-20 minutes.  So I get busy with something else and your mind slips onto something else.

Quitline counsellors are great, especially if you don’t have any other support. There is somebody there who wants you to quit and to just get a ‘well done’ is so great.”