Breaking Free: Vincent's Journey to a Smokefree Life

Vincent Vakapuna, a 35-year-old Tongan who has been living in Christchurch since 2009, shares his heartfelt journey of quitting smoking.

“I started smoking at the age of 18, you know back in the islands it’s not a big deal”. Despite his efforts to quit over the years, facing various life stresses such as providing for his growing family and homeownership meant that smoking was his escape.

The turning point came when Vincent's wife gave birth to their newborn a few months ago. A Plunket nurse visiting their home noticed Vincent sneaking a cigarette outside and told him about the professional support available.

This encounter made Vincent realise the importance of seeking help and committing to a bigger step on his smokefree journey. He decided to take a stand for his health and his family, especially his three young children, “I just want to be around to see my young ones grow, to be able to run and play with them in the years to come”.

Vincent registered with our quit smoking service a month ago. He acknowledges that the journey has been challenging, particularly managing his temper and avoiding smoking during his wind-down time. However, the support from Bale and the encouragement from his friends, who no longer smoke, have been instrumental in his progress.

One of the most supportive aspects of his journey has been tracking his progress with Bale, he says. “Today I was so happy to see my CO2 chart move to green. I was aiming for an orange but the green was definitely a boost for me today, it was red when I began this programme”.

Vincent's story is a testament to the power of determination and the positive impact of seeking support. Mālō 'aupito Vincent for your honest testimony. We commend the progress you've made so far, for yourself and your fāmili.