Samuel Jones, 30, from London, says giving up smoking nearly two years ago led to a complete personal reinvention, including a new career path and a healthier lifestyle. He now works out regularly, cooks nutritious meals, and is training to become a teacher.
Sam started smoking at 21 while recovering from a relationship breakup and continued for seven years. He initially planned to quit before turning 25 but found it difficult, experiencing irritability, anxiety, and low mood when he tried. Living in a household where everyone smoked made it harder to resist.
Meeting his wife sparked change
Meeting his now-wife Anny, a non-smoker, when he was 27 gave him the motivation he needed. As their relationship became serious, his smoking caused tension. He disliked stepping outside restaurants to smoke while she stayed inside, and she was reluctant to kiss him afterward.
When Anny's parents visited from Hong Kong, she asked him to hide his habit. During a trip to Legoland, he pretended to need the toilet to use the designated smoking area across the park. They never found out, but he knew he couldn't hide it during a six-week stay with them in January last year.
Quitting with Nicorette gum
Sam gave up a few days before flying to Hong Kong, using 4mg Nicorette gum. Anny's mother commented on how much he liked gum. After a week or two, he reduced to a lower strength and switched to regular gum by the end of the holiday.
The process was challenging, especially hiding it from Anny's parents. He struggled with mood swings and constant cravings, noting that everyone smoked there and cigarettes were cheap. He said Nicorette was essential: 'I couldn't have done it without it. No way.' Previous attempts at cold turkey had left him 'a shell of a man, completely drained.'
Life after quitting
Sam has not smoked for nearly two years. He says Anny is much happier now that he doesn't smell of smoke or leave her in restaurants. He has had nicotine stains removed from his teeth and enjoys having extra money. He recommends Nicorette to friends who smoke, saying it was 'perfect for me to quit without anyone noticing.'
Nicorette, with over 45 years of global expertise, is clinically proven to help fight cravings. Its QuickMist Spearmint Mouthspray starts relieving smoking and vaping cravings in 30 seconds and doubles the chances of quitting compared to willpower alone.
