No Smoking Day: In conversation with Tori, Stop Smoking Specialist

Nearly half a million people smoke in Yorkshire. Tobacco is the biggest cause of preventable cancer in the region and sadly, this means that around 60 people in Yorkshire lose their lives every week from a smoking-related cancer.

This No Smoking Day (12 March), Tori, Stop Smoking Specialist at Yorkshire Cancer Research, shares what her role involves and how people can take their first step towards being smokefree.

I have been a smoking advisor for almost a decade now. It has always been something I have been passionate about. My dad smoked a pipe, and he developed cancer when I was 18 months old. He never touched tobacco again. So, for me to then train and become a stop smoking advisor brought me so much pride.

In my personal life, I enjoy hiking with friends and running. I love being outdoors, and as mum to two little boys I’ve been keen to share this as a family through lots of bike rides and walks. My interest in leading an active life spent outdoors led me to a role as a health trainer, supporting and motivating individuals into making healthy lifestyle changes.  

I was fortunately given the opportunity to be trained to provide stop smoking support, and I knew then how I wanted to progress my career. 

I am passionate about helping others become healthier, happier and have a better quality of life. When I discovered the opportunity to join Yorkshire Cancer Research as a Stop Smoking Specialist, I knew I could continue to make that impact on people’s lives.

Although I have only been at the charity for a short eight months, I have helped so many individuals already. To see and hear the life-changing impact stop smoking support can have makes me really proud. It brings me so much joy and I truly love what I do.

A typical day for me involves talking to people who want to quit. I provide behaviour support as changing habits and routines is the biggest challenge with helping someone stop smoking. The service at Yorkshire Cancer Research offers 12 weeks of free, personalised support for everyone, and I am there to encourage and motivate people who want to quit.

Some say they smoke due to stress, but I explain to them that although they may temporarily feel better after having a cigarette, the underlying stress they are feeling is still there. They only feel better because they have had the nicotine hit the brain is craving, and they are no longer experiencing withdrawal symptoms from their last cigarette.

So, I work with people to find other ways that might help them cope in stressful situations, whether that’s going for a walk, joining a gym or social group, or playing video games. It is important to have another way to relieve stress, so they can turn it into a new hobby instead of thinking about cigarettes.

I also offer nicotine replacement therapy, prescribed medication or a vaping device. We discuss this in the initial appointment and work together to find the best tools to help them stop.  

One client that really stands out for me is a young man whose passion was musical theatre, but he didn’t have confidence and always played small roles.

During the 12 weeks with the service, his confidence grew week by week, and I could see the huge impact quitting smoking had on him. He started putting himself forward for bigger roles, going out with friends and hiking. He told me he had finally started living his life, without nicotine controlling him anymore. He was so proud of himself for stopping smoking and his mental health has improved significantly.

Quitting smoking is a massive challenge as nicotine is one of the most addictive substance there is, so for anyone to change their habits and routines throughout the 12 weeks with the charity is a great achievement.  

People have to be ready to stop smoking - that is the key. I always ask this question first. Smoking is a very hard habit to stop, and you must want to do it. I always tell people to take each day as it comes, praise yourself and be kind to yourself.

Research shows that people are up to three times more likely to stop smoking for good with the support of a specialist service.

Since the Yorkshire Cancer Research stop smoking service was established a year ago, we have helped 350 people, with many more to support and many more quits to come in the future.

The benefits of quitting smoking are huge, from adding more quality years to their life, to better mental health and physical health, and a significant decrease in the risk of developing cancer. 

The aim is to continue expanding the service and helping more people. Over the next few years, more advisors will join the team to help people across Yorkshire stop smoking and allow them to live longer, healthier lives. Hull has the highest smoking rate in Yorkshire, and I am especially keen to help people stop smoking in that area.