Beverley started smoking at the age of 15 because of peer pressure from her best friend. She initially smoked socially, but eventually became a regular smoker, consuming around 20 to 30 cigarettes a day. Beverley’s parents were also heavy smokers, so the habit was normalised in her household.

“My mum and dad were always big smokers, and I was surrounded by it. Smoking in those days was the norm and I vividly remember my parents smoking in the car while me and my two brothers were in the back. My father was a particularly heavy smoker, smoking around 60 cigarettes a day, but he gave up when he was 50 and was constantly urging me to quit too.

“I’ve tried a couple of times over the years to quit but was never successful. The longest I lasted was two weeks with social situations always triggering me to start again.”

However, as Beverley got older, she began to experience more breathing difficulties, chest infections and general ill-health because of her smoking.

Beverley, who is a Living Well Co-ordinator, continues: “My breathing was becoming worse and worse over the years. I got to the stage where I couldn’t walk up the stairs without getting breathless, my chest was whistling at night, and I was suffering from constant chest infections. When talking to friends and family on the phone, I found myself gasping for breath and people used to tell me to go to the hospital to get checked out as I sounded so terrible.

“The deterioration in my breathing really started to frighten me. I have five granddaughters and I want to see them grow up and get married. That’s why I went to visit my GP and was referred to my local stop smoking service at Withington Community Hospital.

“The support there was fantastic. I started using a vape to help me quit but when it broke after a week, I just decided to go cold turkey. It worked! Even though my dad died several years ago, I kept hearing his voice in my head saying if I can do it, you can too. It really spurred me on. I haven’t even been tempted to reach for a cigarette. In fact, I deliberately put myself in social situations to prove to myself I am strong and ready to stay smokefree this time around.

“The difference in the way I feel has been incredible. Quitting smoking was the spark I needed to completely overhaul my health. I’ve also embarked on a healthy eating regime and have lost a stone and a half in weight.

“I feel great. Before, I was constantly in bed with chest infections, but I haven’t had one since I quit. My breathing is better, my skin looks amazing, and I can walk further too. Friends have noticed, and I’ve never had so many compliments.”

Beverley advises anyone thinking of quitting smoking to do it as soon as possible. To do it for themselves and their loved ones. She is proud of herself for quitting and looks forward to being an active and healthy grandmother for her granddaughters.

Beverley said: “Everyone is proud of me and I’m proud of myself. For me, it was a case of right time, right place. I knew it was time to quit and going to the clinic gave me added motivation.

“For others thinking about giving up I would say think about your health. It’s only going to get worse so make that change sooner rather than later. I wish I had. Be strong. Do it for yourself but also think about your loved ones.

“Since giving up, I’ve put the money I would have spent on cigarettes in a jar. I’ve now got about £700 in there and me and my husband are going on a nice holiday with it. Spending it on a lovely break, rather than cigarettes, feels great. I wish I’d given up smoking years ago.”