My Quit Journey: One Year On
Published: 21st May 2026
On the 7th of May 2025, Community Pharmacy Scotland held an Ask Me Anything on the Smoking Cessation Varenicline Service. That session became my catalyst for change. It was that moment I decided to walk down to my local community pharmacy and sign up for the Varenicline service, and stop smoking.
A year has now passed, and I remain smoke‑free, thanks largely to the care and support of the pharmacy team. From the very first consultation, I felt understood. The team did not lecture or judge me. They listened. We discussed my history, my habits, and my goals. For the first time, I felt I had taken back control.
Smoking was embedded into my routine, into my life. No matter what I was doing, I was thinking about cigarettes. Wake up, smoke. Walk to the bus stop, smoke. Walk to the office, smoke. You get the idea. The urge to smoke still lingers in the background of my thoughts just like the bad smell it leaves behind. I simply choose not to partake. Smoking no longer interrupts life, long meetings now run without irritation, train journeys don’t prompt restlessness, evenings out are just evenings out. The absence of cigarettes has become my new normal. That doesn’t mean it has been effortless. Stressful weeks still test me. But the difference now is that the urge no longer feels like a command. It is a passing signal, I notice it and let go.
Much of my resilience was built during those first twelve weeks with the community pharmacy team. The structure they provided didn’t just help me stop smoking; it helped me learn how to cope without it. The weekly conversations, practical tips, and reassurance laid the foundations that have carried me well beyond the formal end of the service. Looking back, I realise how crucial that early sense of continuity was. Being seen regularly by the same people, in a familiar place close-to-home created trust. The Pharmacist, Technician & Dispenser all played their part. They took the readings, gave words of wisdom and even held me accountable. That was significant.
Community pharmacies are uniquely placed to provide that kind of care. They are accessible, local, and embedded in daily life. For someone trying to quit smoking, that accessibility removes barriers at exactly the point they are most vulnerable.
A year on, my health feels different in ways both obvious and subtle. My breathing is easier. My energy is steadier. There is a quiet confidence that comes from keeping a promise to yourself for twelve months. It spills into other parts of life. If I can change something I once believed was unchangeable, what else might be possible? This anniversary has also made me more aware of the importance of protecting and investing in smoking cessation services. Quitting is not just about willpower; it is about support, timing, and access. When services are consistent, well‑resourced, and delivered by trusted professionals, they work.
I often think back to that moment in the pharmacy when a disappointing carbon monoxide reading was met not with judgement, but curiosity and reassurance. That compassion and pertinence stayed with me long after the readings stopped.
One year on, I don’t feel like someone who gave up smoking. I feel like someone who gained something better: control and confidence. For anyone considering quitting, especially if previous attempts have failed, my message is simple. You are not alone, and you don’t have to do it unsupported. Community pharmacy is so much more than a place where you collect medication. It can be a partner in change. I am living proof that with the right support, change can last.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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They were central to my success. The Pharmacist, Technician and Dispenser all played a role by offering advice, monitoring progress, providing reassurance, and helping me stay focused during difficult moments. Their consistency and compassion made a huge difference.
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Community pharmacies are accessible, local and part of everyday life. That convenience removes barriers for people who may need support quickly or regularly. Seeing familiar healthcare professionals in a trusted environment can make it easier for people to stay engaged throughout their quitting journey.
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Quitting smoking is not simply about willpower. Success often depends on having timely access to professional support, structured services and ongoing encouragement. Well-resourced smoking cessation services delivered through community pharmacy can have a lasting impact on people’s health and wellbeing.
Clear guidance on interpreting Varenicline PGD wording from NHS Circular PCP(P)(2025)06 to ensure continuity of supply and patient care.