Published: Tuesday, 28th July 2026
Medway resident, Colin, was a life-long smoker before he decided to seek help from our Smokefree Advice Centre in Chatham.
Colin grew up at a time when smoking was widely accepted: “Everybody smoked – somebody always had a pack of cigarettes, or you would share one – it was an acceptance”.
Like many smokers, he later found it difficult to quit. After several previous attempts, the diagnosis of both a heart issue and cancer compelled Colin to make a permanent change to support his treatment and improve his health.
Colin said: “When I first went to Military Road, to the Stop Smoking Centre, talking to somebody about it and trying to figure out how to stop really helped.”
Despite living with smoking-related health conditions, Colin found that quitting brought benefits quickly. With support from the centre and a range of nicotine replacement options, he began to notice positive changes within four weeks.
“They gave me options – patches, lozenges, an inhalator and chewing gum. Within a month of weekly visits, I stopped using the lozenges, then the patches and each time I went in my carbon monoxide readings were going down.”
He also praised the team at the Smokefree Advice Centre, who have helped almost 2,500 residents quit since opening in 2015, and recommended others pay them a visit.
“Give it a go, because if nothing else, they are very friendly and they will give you the assistance that you need. Come and visit them.”
Smokers who get support from a stop smoking service are up to three times more likely to successfully quit.
We offer a wide range of support to help residents quit smoking as part of the council’s commitment to helping create the UK’s first smoke-free generation. Medway residents can get help either in person, over the phone or through our AI-powered Quit Coach.
We are also supporting those that live, work or are registered to a GP in Medway through Allen Carr’s Easyway programme, a one-day seminar with follow up support that helps change the way smokers think and feel about cigarettes.