John Stephenson was only 48 when he suffered a massive heart attack that changed his life.
His emotional story is now being shared by FRESH, the North East’s official tobacco control programme, ahead of No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 12.
After a scare at work suffering chest pains, John was rushed into hospital where he experienced a life-threatening heart attack.
He went on to have three stents fitted during surgery and was told by the doctor that the procedure was touch and go.
He said: “Smoking was making every organ, including my heart, work much harder.
“I remember saying to him ‘Am I going to be all right?’ and he just looked at me and said, ‘I can’t say, I can’t promise you that’.
“When my wife and mam came in to see me, the colour drained from them. It was like I was watching them being told I was already dead.
“All I could imagine was the impact it was going to have on my kids, and my grandkids.
“I have now been smoke-free for 18 months and the difference is incredible. I feel better and healthier and am enjoying life again – I’m even able to play on the beach with my grandkids.
“The fact is, that even if you smoke just one cigarette a day, you’re raising your risk of going through the living nightmare that I did.
“Don’t ever think it won’t happen to you.”
The campaign will include a regional TV advert featuring John’s story alongside outdoor posters, social media and digital screens which feature information on how to access local help such as smoking aids such as nicotine patches and in-person and online support.
Through his role at Middlesbrough Council as the Stop Smoking South Tees service manager, John is now hoping smokers take the message on board this No Smoking Day that help is available to prevent others from suffering the way he did.
Councillor Jan Ryles, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health, said: “It’s great to see John pushing this message to help others who are struggling like he did, not just through this brilliant campaign but through his important role.
“We know many residents want to quit smoking but may previously failed and have therefore given up, or they just don’t feel they are ready to take that step again for fear of failing twice.
“But John’s message goes to show it doesn’t matter if you’ve tried to quit once or ten times, there’s always time to take back control.
“There is practical and local help available from FRESH and the Stop Smoking South Tees service for anyone that needs it.”
• Support to quit can be found at www.freshquit.co.uk and Stop Smoking South Tees at www.stopsmokingsouthtees.co.uk
