Give up before it’s too late

SERIOUS health issues . . . Susan Radford, from Mossley, struggled to breathe after smoking for over 50 years

A FORMER 60-a-day smoker is backing a new campaign encouraging people to give up the habit in the New Year.

Public Health England (PHE) launched the powerful campaign today to highlight how smoking damages all parts of the body, not just the lungs.

Susan Radford (66), from Mossley, is supporting the campaign after deciding to quit in 2013 when she was diagnosed with cancer and other issues.

She said: “I started smoking when I was 13 — I just thought it was clever. I smoked for just over 50 years and had 50-60 a day.

“I decided to quit smoking in 2013 because I had throat cancer and had to have radiotherapy. The hospital recommended I quit to increase the effectiveness of the treatment.”

Susan was also diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma; she struggles to walk for any distance.

She added: “I had to go into hospital for 12 days and I couldn’t wait to get out so that I could have a cigarette. But when I got out they just made me feel sick and I didn’t want one anymore.

“I also had support from my local stop smoking service, which was great.”

After quitting Susan noticed dramatic changes in her health and life - including breathing more easily and finding food had more flavour. Her purse has also benefited from quitting.

The new campaign highlights the hidden harm cigarettes cause — showing how smoking damages bones, muscles, the brain, teeth and eyes as well as causing cancers, heart and lung disease.