Quitting improves health and finances

An Armthorpe man is £450 per month better off and a lot fitter after quitting the habit.

October is Stoptober and Steve Bird (62), has felt the benefits of stamping out smoking.

Steve, pictured, who smoked between 15 and 20 per day, and is a patient of our chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) nurses now feels fitter than ever and says he “has a new lease of life”.

“I never thought I’d stop smoking,” said the dad of three and grandad of eight.

“I’ve smoked since I was 17 years old. I have tried to stop before and never managed it.

“Being able to talk to a stop smoking advisor helped me, she was a former smoker and understood” he explained.

“I didn’t want to let her down either.”

Steve, who now spends his spare cash on his children and grandchildren, was also helped by nicotine patches to help with the cravings, reducing from three per day to eventually one then none.

The former pit worker and maintenance manager at a hotel, said:

“My GP sent me to the Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) services to stop smoking as I receive support from the COPD nurses. Since I stopped I hardly use my inhaler, which I used regularly most days, I can walk further and I can play with my grandkids. I can run now like I’m 20 again. I actually didn’t realise how I was struggling until I quit smoking.

“For anyone else thinking about quitting, my advice would be: ‘go for it'” added Steve.

“My stop smoking advisor is an absolute superstar. I’m now fitter than ever, my chest is better, I feel more lively. Stopping really has given me a new lease of life.”

Adam Fretwell, our health improvement manager, who runs the stop smoking service, said:

“It’s never too late to quit smoking and Stoptober is a great opportunity to do so. We provide support to trust staff and patients. If you want to discuss the support on offer please email rdash.quit@nhs.net.”

Published: November 06, 2025