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A man from Port Sunlight has shared how a severe bout of pneumonia finally helped him quit smoking for good. His story is part of a new campaign from public health leaders across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Dominggus Damarjanan, 56, started smoking when he was a teen and continued for almost 40 years before he gave up. He started at 17 while on holiday with friends and gradually increased to 15 to 20 cigarettes a day.
Following his husband quitting, he tried but couldn't finish. However, the turning point came when he had a severe case of pneumonia that lasted three weeks and didn't respond to antibiotics. He was left with real pain in his chest and no desire to light up again.
Life without cigarettes has brought real benefits for Domingus. He said: "I feel much fitter now. I enjoy singing in my choir much more, and I like to swim, so it's good that my breathing has improved. I like to cycle too, and I've noticed I can cycle without being breathless.
"There are a lot of things in my life that have improved without the cigarettes. If you can't stop smoking for yourself, then stop for your loved ones."
The Stop For Good campaign was launched on 19 October, and urges smokers to continue to try and stop the habit no matter how many times they've tried.
The advert for the campaign is focused on a father and daughter enjoying a day of fishing, highlighting a grandfather's repeated attempts to quit before revealing him fit and healthy.
Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Public Health for Knowsley and Lead Director of Public Health for Cheshire and Merseyside's All Together Smokefree programme, said: "Our Stop For Good campaign isn't about placing blame or inducing guilt. It's designed to encourage people to have another go, even if they have tried once, twice, even 10 times before.
"Giving up can be challenging, but nobody needs to go it alone. There's a multitude of ways to access help and support, so it's important that people know what is out there.
"Dominggus' story shows that one unsuccessful attempt doesn't mean you won't succeed next time, and that the benefits of giving up can be felt in everyday life."
Professor Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, added: "Smoking is still the biggest single cause of preventable illness and early death in Cheshire and Merseyside, with 2 in 3 smokers dying too soon unless they quit. Hearing from people like Dominggus can give others hope that, however long you've had the habit, it's never too late to try again."
For information about Stop For Good and support on how to quit, visit smokingendshere.com.
