A Clydebank woman has praised the free NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Service which has given her cause to smile after helping her quit smoking.
Karen Turnbull – a House Manager with Renfrewshire Council’s children’s services – had never tried to stop in 40 years of smoking, but mounting health concerns late last year meant a change was needed.
A lifetime of smoking had deteriorated her teeth, eroded the bridge in her mouth, and restricted the blood circulation in her legs, making her self-conscious, wheezy, and restless any time she sat down or tried to sleep.
Desperate to make a change, Karen paid a visit to her dentist but was told dental implants were a no-go if she kept smoking. It was then she made one of the most important decisions in her life – to call Quit Your Way.
Karen, 54, said: “I always thought it’d just be too difficult. Smoking had a chokehold on me and I was backed into a corner.
“I was smoking every hour or two hours. If I was going out, I’d be plotting when and where I could have a cigarette. I’d find somewhere to go out for a walk, standing in the cold and rain and even put off things I wanted to do if I knew I wasn’t going to be able to smoke.
“I went to the dentist to see about dental implants, and I was told very clearly, there’s no point doing this procedure if I continue to smoke. The implants were a huge financial commitment, but I was also thinking about my health.
“I knew it was time to decide: If I’m going to go ahead with this, I need to stop smoking.”
Karen was booked in for a face-to-face appointment within a day of calling Quit Your Way – free phone on 0800 916 8858.
She met NHSGGC practitioner Louise at Clydebank Health Centre, set her quit date, and left with free nicotine replacement products specifically designed to give her the best support – all at her first appointment.
Her last cigarette was on the eve of her dental work on 14 April 2025, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Karen said: “I had great support from Louise in the Quit Your Way team. I met her every Monday at Clydebank Health Centre and she was a great cheerleader. She held me to account but with no judgement – just support.
“Smoking restricted everything I did, but I don’t have that in my life anymore and it’s pure freedom.”
“Almost immediately my breathing got better, my energy levels went up and my skin is a lot brighter. I also haven’t had that numbness in my legs at all since I stopped. It feels great.
“And obviously, I can smile now without feeling self-conscious.”
Karen’s story comes as NHSGGC pilots a series of new Quit Your Way community groups in Clydebank, Dumbarton, Linwood, Paisley, Greenock and Barrhead.
People looking to start their quit journey can find their local support on NHS Inform’s Service Directory.
Louise Logue, NHSGGC Quit Your Way practitioner said: “Every smoker is different but we’re here to help you quit in a way that works for you, for free.
“You’re much more likely to quit with our support and Karen is proof. She’s changed so much by picking up the phone and having that first chat. No cigarettes, better health, better appearance, more energy and extra cash from going smoke-free.
“She’s the perfect example of what can be achieved with the right support.”
Call Quit Your Way now for free on 0800 916 8858, visit www.nhsggc.scot/quityourway or drop into your local pharmacy and ask for help to Quit Your Way.
