Glenn had smoked for nearly 40 years, and for him, giving up was all about the effects on his health.

As a rugby referee, in his working life as a builder, running a handyman business, an early stint in the Navy and in later years a motel in the North Island, Glenn has always been on the move. He’s even swum Cook Strait.

Just before he gave up, he’d noticed that he could manage half a cigarette before coughing. 

“I didn’t feel fit, I felt buggered all the time.  Towards the end of my smoking, I was going downhill quickly.  That’s when I thought, enough of this.  Health comes first.”

A nagging cough, being unable to sleep lying down and a visit to the emphysema clinic finally forced him to decide to take the plunge and ask at the local GP for help. 

Beginning with visits to Smokefree advisor Jeanette every week, after some time Glenn moved to fortnightly and six months later he catches up with her monthly.

“I wouldn’t have done it without her, she’s brilliant,” he says.

After the first meeting, Glenn used the Smokefree lozenges.  He had about six cigarettes left in a packet, and grabbed those along with his lighter and threw them in a glass of water. 

“That’s it, no more. I’d given up once before for just under five months.  When work was going a bit rough, I was back smoking again.”

Six months down the smoke-free track and Glenn can taste and smell his food.  He notices smokers coming “from a mile away”. 

His fitness is back and Glenn was recently awarded Buller’s Referee of the Year.

His advice to others is to give up before it’s too late.

“If you can’t do it on your own, get some help.  Help is out there – don’t be scared to ask.”