“Successfully stopping smoking has given me a real boost of self-confidence and opened up a lot of doors” - Rob’s experience

Rob Oakley, a self-employed 35-year-old from Northallerton, had smoked since he was 12. Passionate about musical theatre, he knew quitting would improve his singing voice, but felt he needed support from a specialist to help him quit for good. 

When he saw a Facebook advertisement for the Yorkshire Cancer Research Stop Smoking Support service, Rob instantly signed up. 

While smoking rates in Yorkshire are steadily decreasing, half a million people still smoke in the region. Smoking can lead to at least 15 different types of cancer and 90 people are diagnosed with a smoking-related cancer every week in Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire Cancer Research Stop Smoking Support Service offers free, personalised help to anyone in Yorkshire who wants to be smokefree, providing coping strategies and stop smoking aids so people can quit for good.  

Rob had tried quitting in the past but had not been successful. He was keen to explore new methods, so his stop smoking advisor Tori suggested he use nicotine patches and a quick mist spray to relieve cravings instead.

“It was difficult at first, but once I got used to the patches, I was able to start on a lower dosage and rely on the nicotine less,” Rob said. “That was a huge win for me. The quick mist spray was such a relief, especially when I got cravings whilst socialising with other smokers. Using the spray immediately put the thought of a cigarette out of my mind.”

Rob recalls not knowing what to expect from the Yorkshire Cancer Research Stop Smoking Service at first but was amazed at the level of support he received. 

Research shows that people are up to three times more likely to stop smoking for good with specialist behavioral support and stop smoking treatment.

Less than three months after Rob’s first contact with the Yorkshire Cancer Research Stop Smoking team, he was no longer using stop-smoking aids. For the first time in 16 years, Rob is now smokefree.  

Since quitting smoking, Rob has been challenging himself to overcome his anxieties and try new things.

“I’ve struggled with the mentality that I can’t do things, and I would often avoid unfamiliar places or situations,” he explained. “I know now that what I fear isn’t going to hurt me. Successfully stopping smoking has given me a real boost of self-confidence and opened up a lot of doors.”  

When asked what he would say to other people considering stop smoking support, Rob said: “Just do it, call that number. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”  

The Yorkshire Cancer Research Stop Smoking Service launched in January 2024 and has so far supported more than 350 people. The charity has committed to funding £2.7 million of stop smoking services in the region and has overall helped more than 4,400 people successfully quit smoking.