A Stepping Hill Hospital team which helps patients to stop smoking is celebrating its 1000th successful patient.

52-year-old Darren Connolly has given up smoking cigarettes after a dedicated effort from himself and from Stepping Hill's CURE team.

The CURE team provides specialist support to help people quit, including nicotine replacement therapy and other medications.

Tobacco is the single greatest cause of preventable death, disability, illness and social inequality in Stockport.

Darren, from Cheadle Heath, was first referred to Stepping Hill via his GP, after he was found to have severe asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

He'd been a heavy smoker for around 37 years, smoking as many as 60-80 cigarettes each day.

He remained in hospital for nine days while receiving steroid, oxygen and antibiotic treatments. During this time, he was approached by a member of the CURE team for long-term help in stopping smoking for good.

He took the team up on their offer, and hasn't looked back - already he's likely to live a longer life, with less chance of life-limiting conditions.

Darren had to spend time in hospital after being diagnosed with severe asthma and chronic obstuctive pulmonary disease (Image - Stockport NHSFT)

"Giving up smoking was daunting, it was just a big part of my life", Darren said.

"But with the advisors from the CURE team guiding me on the right path they've really given me the chance to succeed.

"Being in hospital was a frightening experience which I don't want to go through again, and I'm really grateful for the support the team have given me."

Darren was amused to learn he was the team's 1000^th successful quitter. "It looks like that's my lucky number!", he said.

Natasha Gilraine, CURE Respiratory Associate Nurse Specialist said "Smoking is the result of addiction to nicotine, but it is the other chemicals in cigarettes that make it the leading preventable cause of death and disability in Stockport.

"By providing safe forms of nicotine we are helping patients like Darren beat their addiction, but also putting millions of pounds back in people's pockets at this challenging economic time."

For more information on CURE visit https://thecureproject.co.uk/ For more information about stopping smoking and free support visit www.makesmokinghistory.co.uk.

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