Dave Morby, Queen Mary's

Dave Morby from Erith attended one of the very first Quit Groups at Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup back in 2001. Dave says:

“Attending that Group literally saved my life – I will always be so grateful to the Advisors from the Team who helped me to stop and stay stopped. I didn’t want to stop smoking but I was admitted to hospital with an aneurysm and my consultant told me: ‘Dave. If you don’t stop smoking you’ll be dead within 18 months’.

It took me four days to phone Bexley Stop Smoking Service following my discharge from hospital and they got me straight onto one of their Group Quits. I’d been smoking for 59 years and didn’t go a day without a smoke. I’d started when I was 18 years old and got posted out to North Africa during the War. Everyone smoked the n – they gave us free tobacco as part of our rations so I’ve spent most of my life as a smoker. 

I’ve now been stopped for nine years – if I’d carried on I simply wouldn’t be here”

Dave goes dancing three times a week – not bad for someone of 86 – and he also makes prize winning wine. Dave’s message to current smokers is: “If you want the best chance of not just being around but also being active in later life – then pack up smoking now with support from this team”.