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 No Smoking Day celebrations for local success story Valerie Bartrop, from Edmonton, is celebrating a year of being 'smoke-free' this No Smoking Day (8th March), after giving up in March 2005 with Enfield & Haringey Quit Smoking Service. Valerie had been smoking for 42 years before she quit on 10th March 2005. She attended the Specialist Smokers' Clinic at North Middlesex Hospital, where she received group support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help her stop smoking, and has not had a single puff since her quit date. The financial cost of smoking was one of Valerie's major concerns and she decided the time was right to stop. "I was spending £35 a week on cigarettes when I was smoking - over 10 months that's £1,400, and the cost was taking over my finances," said Valerie. "I was also worried about my grandson and what my smoking was probably doing to him. There's no time like the present, so I decided to give up. I went to see my doctor and he gave me the number for the Quit Smoking Service." Valerie has now been smoke-free for a year and will be celebrating this No Smoking Day with her one year certificate from the service. "It wasn't easy to stop, but being in the group and having a buddy really helped. Each week, everyone shared their experiences and tips for coping, which was really enjoyable," she added. "I used the patches and an inhalator and they were really good too." "Valerie has done so well over the past year and it's great that we can give her a certificate on No SMoking Dayto reward her for her hard work and success," said Elisa Thompson, Service Manager for Enfield & Haringey Quit Smoking Service. "After the treatment programme finishes, we encourage people at the Specialist Smoker's Clinics to make the most of the monthly support groups. We know that for some people it will make a big difference to how they do long-term and we want everyone tobes successful as Valerie." "I couldn't have done it without the group, but I have to say my grandson has helped to keep me going over the past year too. Since my quit day, he's crossed off every single day I haven't smoked on my calendar!" explained Valerie. "With all the money I've saved on cigarettes, I've been on a lovely two week holiday to Italy and I don't have to worry when I go shopping anymore. It's nice to be able to treat myself instead."
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