Real stories

Amy - Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service

Amy is the Head of Community Safety and Engagement within Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service. 

Amy

Amy – a former smoker who lives in Nottinghamshire – talks about her desire to quit and how she managed in the end to give up cigarettes.

Amy - Practitioner within Maternity Services at Kingsmill Hospital

As a Tobacco Dependence and Treatment Practitioner within Maternity Services at Kingsmill Hospital, Amy is on the frontline within the NHS, supporting pregnant women to quit smoking.

Elaine and Aimee

Between them, they manage a range of social housing accommodation, focusing on ensuring the safety and security of both tenants and properties, and helping tenants if they have problems.

Glen

A smoker since the age of 11 and self-professed ‘lifelong nicotine addict’, Glen is on a journey towards becoming both cigarette and nicotine free. He describes the ups and downs of his quitting journey and his positive outlook for a future as a non-smoker.

Helen

A Physiotherapist at Nottingham University Hospital, Helen is also a Councillor, representing the Bilborough ward in Nottingham.

Jayden-Shaun

Father of two, Jayden-Shaun, an ex-smoker from Nottingham, describes his motivations for quitting smoking and what the experience was like. He talks about how vaping helps him to abstain from cigarettes. His inspirational story reveals the new lease of life he’s experienced post-quit.

Kay

Kay is a Public Health and Commissioning Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council. Her role involves providing public health advice and designing activities and interventions that will meet the needs of the County’s population.

Liz

A trained nurse who used to support smokers to quit, Liz now works as a Consultant in Public Health in Nottingham City.

Liz and Josh

Lucy

An Emergency Department nurse by background, Lucy works at Nottingham University Hospital. Lucy’s current role focuses on health improvement research and education within Urgent and Emergency Care.

Mike

Mike covers Bestwood and Sherwood in his role as a GP and primary care Clinical Director, facing smoking related conditions within the community.

Rachael Murray

Rachael is Professor of Population Health at the University of Nottingham, with a passion for research into tobacco control and ways to support people to stop smoking.

Sally

Grandmother of two, Sally, 58, has lived in Nottingham all of her life. She recounts her journey from smoking at least 20 cigarettes a day to zero. She describes her motivations for wanting to stop and the benefits she’s experienced from quitting.

Scott

Scott has a background in adult social care and public health and has been a Councillor for Sherwood Forest since 2021, where he continues to take an active