EX-SMOKERS FROM PAISLEY ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOLIDAY PRIZE
TWO ex-smokers from Paisley are in with a chance of winning a holiday after quitting cigarettes for good.
Emma Rewcastle from Paisley and Paul Black from Johnstone have entered their stories in the search for inspirational quitters across the UK for the European Smoke Free Awards 2009.
Run by UK stop smoking charity QUIT ®and the European Network of Quitlines, each entrant into the awards has a chance to win a trip to Barcelona for the awards ceremony, and compete with winners across Europe for a prize of €5,000 in holiday vouchers.
Emma, 35, quit her 20 a day habit last December. She said: “I began to feel embarrassed about smoking. Due to the ban, you are banished outside. I also felt conscious about the smell of smoke from my clothes and hair.”
Smell was also a reason why 39-year-old Paul decided to quit his 40-a-day habit in January. He remembers: “I was at a party and a friend told me that I stunk of smoke. It got me thinking about it and how my house must have smelled. I asked people when they came to visit and was told yes, so I decided enough was enough.”
Paul quit with the help of his local NHS service and used patches when he felt like a cigarette, while Emma used willpower. She said: “I saw my quitting as a daily challenge and never took it further than a daily thing until I was smoke free for 6 months. After those 6 months, the pride I felt was that great that I wouldn’t trade it for a cigarette.”
Paul, who works at a hydrotherapy pool for people with learning difficulties, also quit smoking due to the cost. He said: “The money that I have saved from not smoking means I can live a lot happier and worry-free. I have also decorated my house from top to bottom to get rid of any smells and now I don’t let anyone smoke in my house.”
Both Emma and Paul have felt the benefits since quitting. Emma said: “I feel a dramatic change in my health and feel much more active now. The biggest way it has changed my life is the sense of pride I have in myself. I know I will never smoke again due to how good I feel about myself for doing it.”
Paul added: “I noticed the difference straight away. My breathing, smell and taste all got better. I also joined a gym and feel really good about myself.
The UK winner wins a weekend stay in Barcelona in February 2010 for the awards ceremony, with the overall European winner scooping €5,000 in holiday vouchers. The overall European runner up wins €2,000 holiday vouchers.
The closing date for entries into the competition is December 31, 2009, so there is still plenty of time to enter yourself or nominate someone. To enter, visit www.quit.org.uk or contact the Quitline on 0800 00 22 00. Rules of entry are on the website.
ENDS
Photographs available on request
The European Smoke Free Awards 2009 are supported by Pfizer, which has provided financial support for the awards programme. The European Network of Quitlines has full editorial control of all materials relating to the European Smoke Free Awards and full control over the selection criteria and selection of finalists and winners
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For more information about the awards, contact Nicola Orchard at QUIT on 020 7469 0414 or email n.orchard@quit.org.uk |
