Wendy Robinson from Cleethorpes is the face of Yorkshire and Humber’s first quit smoking campaign developed and filmed in the region. Joined by her daughter Amy, she is urging the 20,800 smokers in North East Lincolnshire to quit.
Wendy quit smoking after sadly losing her mum to COPD so that her daughter Amy would never have to go through the same experience. With support from her local stop smoking service, she quit using an inhalator and patches but unfortunately, she was later diagnosed with kidney cancer caused by smoking. The cancer was removed but the following year she was told she had lung cancer also caused by smoking.
She said: “I felt bad on my family and when I could see my husband crying, I’d think I don’t want to lose him – it’s not the surgery that upset me but thinking of my husband and daughter. I’m just so glad I stopped smoking when I did.”
Two years later, Wendy is feeling great. She’s made a full recovery and has focused on improving her health. Now she’s not smoking, she can breathe easier and exercise more and has lost 4 stone in weight.
Wendy has the following advice for anyone who still smokes: “You’re never too old or too ill to quit – even if you’ve got cancer. Quitting smoking can lower the risk of it coming back. Do it for your family, I’m glad I did.”
Her plea coincides with the launch of the ‘Turn the Corner’ campaign which features local mother and daughter, Wendy and Amy Robinson, who have both successfully quit smoking after Wendy lost her mum to COPD.
Turn the Corner is a collaborative campaign being coordinated by the Centre for Excellence in conjunction with all 15 local authorities across Yorkshire and Humber and Yorkshire Cancer Research, who are committed to reducing smoking and protecting local communities from the harms of tobacco.
The campaign, which launches this week and was filmed in Grimsby, will run across TV, radio and social media – with a powerful message that every cigarette takes 20 minutes off your life.
Geoff Barnes, deputy director of Public Health at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Smoking remains one of the biggest threats to people’s health, but choosing to quit is one of the most powerful decisions a person can make. Every cigarette not smoked is a step away from preventable harm and a step towards a longer, healthier life. With the support of our stop smoking team, you are three times more likely to quit for good. Turn the corner and make the change today.”
Scott Crosby, Associate Director of Centre for Excellence, said: “Everyone knows someone who has been affected by tobacco harm. Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death and ill-health in Yorkshire and Humber. It’s a leading cause of health inequalities in the region and has a huge impact on people’s lives.
“Every cigarette steals on average 20 minutes of life – that’s why campaigns like ‘Turn the Corner’ are so important to raise awareness of the harm caused by tobacco. Wendy and Amy know first-hand the devastation that smoking has on your health and are a perfect example of how quitting can help you turn a corner.”
If you live in Yorkshire and Humber, you can get six months access to all features on the Smoke Free app for free, including nicotine replacement medication as part of the campaign, worth up to £300. Find out more at yestoquit.co.uk.
Tony Graham, Director of Retail, Services and Operations at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “It’s well known that smoking is strongly linked to lung cancer, but it is also a cause of at least 15 other types of cancer. As well as kidney cancer, smoking can lead to cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, bowel, ovary, cervix, breast and, in some cases, even leukaemia.
“It remains the biggest preventable cause of cancer worldwide, and its impact can often span generations when children grow up seeing smoking as part of everyday life. Wendy and Amy’s experiences show both the profound harm caused by tobacco and the powerful difference that quitting can make, not only for an individual’s health, but for the health and future of their family.
“Even after a cancer diagnosis, stopping smoking can significantly improve how well treatments work, support better recovery, increase the likelihood of survival and reduce the risk of cancer coming back. By standing alongside our partners in this campaign, we hope more people across Yorkshire and Humber will feel supported and encouraged to take a step towards a longer, healthier life.”
You’re three times more likely to quit for good with the support of North East Lincolnshire Council’s free stop smoking service.
What we offer…
- Face-to-face support and advice
- Phone calls/texts to check in with you
- Vape starter kit, with a 12-week supply of salts
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy such as nicotine patches and gum
- Varenicline – prescribed medication to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms
You can use more than one of these paths.
- To find out more, discover a support venue near you or self-refer, visit: www.nelincs.gov.uk/stop-smoking
- Call: (01472) 325500, Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4pm, except bank holidays
- Email: [email protected]
If face-to-face isn’t for you, the council also offers free six-month premium access to the Smoke Free app to set goals, track progress and stay motivated, with expert advisors on hand 24/7.
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