Whitby Grandfather Quits Smoking After 65 Years and Saves Enough for an Electric Car

A seventy-nine-year-old Whitby man who smoked for more than six decades has successfully quit the habit, dramatically improving his health and saving enough money to help buy a new electric car.

Health and finances are dramatically improving for a Whitby grandfather who successfully kicked a sixty-five-year smoking habit.

Severe breathing problems and a spell in hospital served as the catalyst for seventy-nine-year-old Terry Wilkinson to finally give up cigarettes. Medical professionals advised the father-of-two that stopping was essential for his survival, prompting him to seek help after decades of unsuccessful attempts.

Having smoked continuously since the age of fourteen, Mr Wilkinson turned to his local pharmacist for guidance. He was quickly referred to a local support service and provided with a nicotine-only vape, which was delivered the very next day.

The intervention proved highly effective, and he has not touched a cigarette since putting out his last one on the twelfth of June.

Terry Wilkinson said:

“I started smoking when I was 14 and apart from a few short breaks, smoked continuously for 65 years.

“Over the years I tried various ways to quit, but nothing seemed to work. The support from council advisor Selina Branagan has been fantastic. She visited me very quickly, talked me through the options and suggested a nicotine vape.

“Since stopping smoking my health has improved dramatically and I feel so much better. Financially, it's made a huge difference too. I was spending around £200 a month on cigarettes and the savings have even helped me towards buying a new electric car!”

With six grandchildren to look after, the Whitby resident is now urging others to take advantage of the available assistance.

Mr Wilkinson added:

“I would encourage anyone thinking about quitting to get in touch with the council because the support is there and it really works.”

The success story coincides with the national Stoptober campaign, which challenges individuals to put down cigarettes for twenty-eight days. Research indicates that reaching this four-week milestone significantly increases the likelihood of quitting for good.

Smoking remains the single leading cause of preventable death across the country, responsible for approximately sixty-four thousand deaths annually. According to Action on Smoking and Health UK, there are roughly forty-seven thousand smokers currently living in North Yorkshire, contributing to a national total of almost six million adults who smoke.

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for health and adult services, Councillor Michael Harrison, said:

“This is a fantastic achievement and shows that it is never too late to quit smoking.

"Stopping smoking is one of the best things people can do for their health, whatever their age. Our advisers provide tailored support and access to a range of quitting aids to help people find the approach that works best for them.

"We congratulate former smokers like Terry on reaching new milestones and thank them for sharing their story to inspire others who may be considering taking their first step towards becoming smoke-free."

The local authority's Living Well Smokefree service has supported nearly six thousand people to quit between April 2019 and March 2026.

Among those benefiting from the programme is North Yorkshire resident Lucy Davis, who reached out after multiple failed attempts to stop on her own. By combining nicotine patches with a vape, the mother-of-two successfully quit last June.

Lucy Davis said:

“Since stopping smoking, I have noticed huge improvements to my health including better breathing, improved taste and smell, healthier skin, whiter teeth, better sleep and no recurring chest infections or persistent cough.

“I also enjoy having extra money each month to spend on myself and my daughters. The support from Gina Naylor and the team has been crucial and has made all the difference and helped me to achieve something I am extremely proud of.”

Free stop smoking aids worth up to three hundred pounds, including medication, vapes, and nicotine replacement therapy, are available to residents as part of the programme. Additionally, locals can access six months of free premium features on the Smoke Free app, which provides round-the-clock expert support, craving management tools, and financial tracking.