Smoker quits after five decades and three quarters of a million cigarettes
A PENSIONER has finally kicked her 50-year-long smoking habit, after lighting up 750,000 cigarettes in her lifetime.
Ann Veit, 68, from Musbury, near Axminster in Devon, smoked around 40 cigarettes each day from the age of 15.
She attempted to quit three times over the 50-year period, trying hypnosis, acupuncture and patches.
However, the retired information systems manager eventually managed to give up in March, after attending a weekly NHS stop smoking clinic.
Mrs Veit, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, has already seen significant im- provement in the function of her lungs.
Carbon monoxide levels in her blood reduced from 26 parts per million to just three in one week – the same levels as a non-smoker.
“After a serious bout of pneumonia, which left me in hospital, I realised I must stop or I wouldn’t last long,” she said.
“Breathing is easier, I’ve got more energy, my self-esteem has improved and I no longer feel like a pariah.
“I can also see the financial benefits – I’ve got more money in my purse at the end of the week. I sincerely hope I have learned the lesson of the stupidity of smoking and will make every endeavour to resist any temptations.”
She added: “It is hard, but never quit quitting. If I can manage it after 50-odd years there is hope for everyone.”
Mrs Veit attends weekly sessions at the free stop smoking clinic in Axminster, where she receives one-to-one help from a specialist adviser.
She is being supported to quit with the use of patches and an inhaler.