A 79-year-old man from Whitby has quit smoking after 65 years, saying his health has improved and he is saving around £200 a month following support from North Yorkshire Council’s stop smoking service.
Terry Wilkinson started smoking at the age of 14 and had made several unsuccessful attempts to quit over the years.
Earlier this year, after being admitted to hospital with severe breathing difficulties, he was advised by doctors that stopping smoking was essential for his health.
Following advice from his local pharmacist, he was referred to the council’s Living Well Smokefree service. An adviser discussed the available options with him, including switching to a nicotine vape.
Mr Wilkinson stopped smoking on 12 June and says he has not smoked a cigarette since.
Improved health and financial savings
Mr Wilkinson said previous attempts to quit had not been successful, but the support he received from the council’s service helped him find an approach that worked for him.
Terry Wilkinson, from Whitby, said:
I started smoking when I was 14 and apart from a few short breaks, smoked continuously for 65 years.
Over the years I tried various ways to quit, but nothing seemed to work. The support from council advisor Selina Branagan has been fantastic. She visited me very quickly, talked me through the options and suggested a nicotine vape.
Since stopping smoking my health has improved dramatically and I feel so much better. Financially, it’s made a huge difference too. I was spending around £200 a month on cigarettes and the savings have even helped me towards buying a new electric car!
Mr Wilkinson, who has six grandchildren, encouraged other smokers to seek help if they wanted to quit.
Mr Wilkinson said:
I would encourage anyone thinking about quitting to get in touch with the council because the support is there and it really works.
Thousands supported to quit smoking
North Yorkshire Council said its Living Well Smokefree service had supported almost 6,000 people to quit smoking between April 2019 and March 2026.
The service offers tailored support and access to different quitting aids, depending on individual needs.
Councillor Michael Harrison, the council’s executive member for health and adult services, said Mr Wilkinson’s experience demonstrated that people could stop smoking later in life.
Councillor Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, said:
This is a fantastic achievement and shows that it is never too late to quit smoking.
Stopping smoking is one of the best things people can do for their health, whatever their age. Our advisers provide tailored support and access to a range of quitting aids to help people find the approach that works best for them.
The council is encouraging residents who smoke to consider taking part in Stoptober, the annual campaign encouraging people to stop smoking for 28 days.
According to figures cited by the council, around 47,000 people smoke in North Yorkshire, while almost six million adults smoke in England.
Support available across North Yorkshire
The council’s Living Well Smokefree service is available to people who live or work in North Yorkshire, or who are registered with a GP in the county.
Another resident who has benefited from the service is Lucy Davis, from Skipton, who quit smoking in June 2025 after several unsuccessful attempts to stop without support.
Ms Davis contacted the service following advice from her GP and used nicotine patches alongside a vape, with support from advisers.
She said she had noticed improvements in her breathing, taste, smell and sleep, as well as fewer chest infections and less coughing. She also highlighted the money saved since quitting.
People seeking help to stop smoking can contact North Yorkshire Council’s Living Well Smokefree service on 01609 797272 or email stop.smoking@northyorks.gov.uk.
Further information is available on the North Yorkshire Council website. Eligible residents can also access six months of the Smoke Free app and information about free stop smoking aids through Yes to Quit.