Ex-smoker praises free NHS support as he celebrates major milestone for No Smoking Day (11 March)
A Glasgow man is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his “lifesaving” decision to stop smoking by helping people from his local community to follow in his path.
Jim Peddie, 59, from Easterhouse, said the free help he received from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Quit Your Way service in 2016 was a major turning point for his health and finances, and he now feels duty bound to help others experience the benefits of a smoke-free life.
“There’s no doubt about it, Quit Your Way saved my life”, Jim said. “I started smoking when I was 14 and I’m now 59. I never thought I could quit but I was constantly thinking about how bad it was for me, then I’d get stressed about that, then have a fag to calm down.
“I tried going cold turkey, I tried acupuncture, I paid for a hypnotist, but nothing worked until I went to the group at Easterhouse Health Centre and met the team there.”
Jim’s quit journey started when he needed to save up enough money to send his son on a once-in-a-lifetime school trip to New York. He received 12 weeks of face-to-face behaviour change support and a prescription of free stop smoking medication Champix through Quit Your Way at his local health centre, saving around £70 a week and financing his son’s trip.
The same type of support is available across NHSGGC today, with Champix replacement Varenicline proving to be one of the most effective products in a wide range of supports available to help people quit.
Quit Your Way also offers help in one-to-one settings, through telephone support, the Smokefree app or through NHS pharmacies. Specialist supports are also in place to help people stop smoking in local prisons, mental health and maternity services.
After recently reuniting with the NHS staff who helped him a decade ago, Jim’s now a man on a mission, speaking to the new people attending the weekly group in Easterhouse about his journey.
“I’m here to pass on the support I got all those years ago,” Jim added.
“Stopping smoking will save your life. There are people who will support you and, as the name suggests, you can Quit Your Way. If you’ve ever thought about quitting, reach out for support.”
Trish Thomson is an NHS Quit Your Way practitioner at the Easterhouse group – which meets every Thursday 10am to 11am – and was there when Jim quit in 2016.
She said: “The most important thing for people to understand is that we are here to help them navigate their quit journey and with the support of the Quit Your Way specialist staff and other group members you are more likely to remain smoke-free.
“Jim’s a brilliant example of that. He came to us with a desire to stop after trying lots of different ways. We found what motivated him, gave him the right medication, and supported him until he was eventually smoke-free.”
Jim’s story comes as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages people to quit smoking as part of No Smoking Day on 11 March 2026.
The prevalence of smoking continues to decline in Scotland each year, but tobacco remains one of the main drivers of ill-health across Greater Glasgow and Clyde and disproportionately affects people living in deprived communities.
Amidst a slowing of quit rates nationally, NHSGGC has recently re-introduced the highly effective stop smoking medication Varenicline – previously known as Champix – as one of the many supports available to people who want to quit.
To find out more, visit www.nhsggc.scot/quityourway or call 0800 916 8858.
