Teesside grandmother who was a heavy smoker urging people to quit
This month is Stoptober
A former heavy smoker from Teesside is encouraging people to quit for good by sharing the story of her own journey.
64 year-old grandmother Lynne Donnelly from Middlesbrough started smoking at the age of 15 which continued for 20 years.
She says she originally wanted to pack in smoking for her grandchildren and she quit with her husband.
Now more than two decades on since having a cigarette, she's urging others to take part in Stoptober.
Lynne said: "I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day and I loved a cigarette. I smoked all over the house, smoked in the bath, in bed, everywhere. As soon as I woke up and put the kettle on, I had three cigarettes and then when I went to bed on a night, if I woke up during the night, I'd have a cigarette.
"I worked as a healthcare assistant over in James Cook and then I became an assistant practitioner and I used to smoke a lot then. I'd go out, have a cigarette, and then come back to my patients absolutely smelling the smoke and I didn't realise that I smelt like that. I only realised that I smelt like that was when I packed in smoking and I was ashamed, because I thought all my clients I've nursed over these years must have thought 'oh god, she smells.'
"My family history was never far from my mind either. My dad smoked all his life and died a terrible death from COPD. He struggled to breathe, but still wanted a cigarette. Watching that was horrendous. I knew I never wanted my grandchildren to see me like that.
"The grandchildren now are in their late 20s, but when we did pack in smoking, we could take them swimming, we could go and run around the field with them. We were very, very healthy after when we packed in smoking.
"Stoptober is a really good time because it gives people a clear, manageable 28 day challenge. You're focused for 28 days, you get loads of support, you're not on your own, you're not alone.
"If you start in October, you're saving up and as Christmas is not far around the corner, you'd be able to buy loads more presents with the money that you've saved. When I packed in smoke and my husband did as well, and we saved the money in a jar and we went on a Caribbean cruise."
"My husband and I made a decision together. We said: 'that’s it. No more cigarettes.' And this time really was different - partly because there is so much more support available now than there ever used to be. There are more ways to quit than ever before, and you don’t have to do it alone.
"I reached out to my local stop smoking service after seeing a leaflet on the hospital wall. I got proper, non‑judgemental support: weekly appointments, nicotine patches, and someone who was there when things felt tough. My advisor was incredible. If I struggled during the week, I could ring her - and I did.
"When cravings hit, she reminded me why I’d stopped. “Think of the kids,” she’d say. And that worked.
"I remember going for a carbon monoxide test and being devastated when it showed a reading of nine, even though I hadn’t smoked. It turned out to be traffic fumes — and when it finally read zero, I was over the moon. I didn’t want to let my advisor down. I wanted her to know I was doing this properly.
"I completed a 12‑week course, and once the decision was made in my head, I never went back - even when life got hard. Quitting was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but when you’re ready and you have the right support, it is possible.
"That was 20 years ago, and I’ve never had another cigarette. Since quitting, everything has changed. My health is so much better. I used to get constant chest infections and I haven’t had one since I stopped smoking. I don’t cough, my clothes don’t smell, and neither do I.
"Today, I work for South Tees Stop Smoking Service, and honestly, it’s my dream job. I get to tell my story and help people who believe they’ll never be able to quit - because that was me."