Vicki’s Story: How my Lung Cancer Screening appointment gave me the courage to quit smoking
Vicki Lofts, 66, from Seend in Wiltshire quit smoking in May 2025 after smoking for 55 years. Her decision to stop smoking came after she had a lung cancer screening earlier in the year which showed she had early signs of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Vicki quit smoking with the help of the Smoke Free app, which is currently available to Wiltshire residents for free.
She said: “I started smoking at age 11, when my grandmother gave me one of my early cigarettes. Everyone in my family smoked, as it was completely normalised back then. Smoking was a rite of passage. By the time I was 16, I was smoking 20 cigarettes a day and over the years this increased to 40 a day at certain times.
“Even when cigarettes started to increase in price, I didn’t think to stop. I just switched to rollies instead as they were cheaper. However, I was still spending £30 a week on tobacco.
“I did manage to stop for two years through sheer willpower, but sadly I had a family bereavement, and I relapsed. I thought I could just have one cigarette, and it would be okay, but it wasn’t. I started smoking again and I didn’t dare tell my husband at the time, I just went out for lots of dog walks. It made me realise that you can’t indulge in just one cigarette, you have to quit completely.
“I knew that smoking was damaging but I couldn’t stop”
“I’ve been a nurse all of my life, so I knew that smoking was damaging but I couldn’t stop. I was addicted and when you’re addicted the denial is real. I didn’t think anything would happen to me, so when I went for a lung cancer screening earlier in the year and was told I was in the early stages of COPD I knew I had to stop. It was like a switch had flipped in my mind – the results of the cancer screening were the incentive I needed to stop smoking.”
Finding the right support
Vicki was aware of the Smoke Free app offer available through Wiltshire Council, where residents can apply for six months access to the app for free. So, she signed up to the app and received a free vape direct to her house.
“Once I had decided to quit smoking, I decided to set my quit date for two days before my birthday in May and signed up to the Smoke Free app. I found the app really helpful as it gives you 24/7 access to a stop smoking advisor. I also received a vape really quickly, which was important as once I’d set a quit date I wanted to start straight away while I was in the right frame of mind.
“I would definitely recommend people try vaping to help them quit smoking. Vapes are really convenient and easy to use. They also help manage your cravings since they contain nicotine, but they are less harmful than cigarettes. I’m now planning on gradually reducing the strength of nicotine with the aim of eventually stopping vaping.”
Feeling the benefits
Since quitting smoking, Vicki feels so much better, and she has noticed quite a few benefits including having more energy and sleeping better. She is much more active now and has even treated herself to a walking machine.
“There have been so many benefits to quitting smoking. My sleep and taste have improved, my clothes, car and house don’t smell and the stains on my teeth have gone. I have more energy, and my resting pulse rate has gone down from the high 80s to the 60s. I no longer sit around smoking, I’m more fit and active. I’ve bought myself a walking machine and walk 1.5 miles every day. I would never have done that if I hadn’t stopped smoking. If I can quit after smoking for 55 years, anyone can quit. It’s never too late.”
Vicki praises the Lung Cancer Screening Programme for starting her on her journey to quitting smoking. Without going for her free lung health check, she may never have had the determination she needed to quit.
“As a long-term smoker, you can’t fail to be aware of the risks of lung cancer. It was a relief to get the news that there was no sign of cancer on my scan, but it did show evidence of COPD – once I saw that in black and white I couldn’t remain in denial any longer that smoking was causing damage to my lungs.
“It’s a really easy process. I did not feel judged by any of the team I had contact with; they were always warm and friendly. Just go – the technology is amazing and it’s so good to have this service available close to home and not to have to go to a large hospital – mine was in a supermarket car park. I never thought I’d stop, so I’m really proud that I have and if I can do it so can anyone!”
The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is available to those aged between 55 to 74 who are current, or previous, smokers. If you are eligible for a free lung health check, you will receive a letter inviting you to an appointment. Find out more about the Lung Cancer Screening Programme here: Lung Cancer Screening – SWAG Cancer Alliance
If you need support to help you stop smoking, you can find your local Stop Smoking Service here: Find your local Stop Smoking Service (LSSS) – Better Health – NHS
