A WHITEFIELD mum who has smoked 20 cigarettes a day since the age of 12 is putting her three young children first by taking on the Stoptober challenge.

Kimberley Bowker, aged 26, made the decision to quit for October to protect her three children: six-year-old Madison, Gabriella, aged three, and one-year-old Antoina.

Smokers in Bury, who are4 estimated to number 32,100, are being urged to kick the habit this October as part of the UK-wide mass quitting attempt, which last year saw 726 people in the borough agree to give up.

Kimberley, a student, is already sleeping better and can now run on the treadmill for 10 minutes, when before she said she would become breathless after two.

She said: “I’ve thought about quitting smoking many times, but lacked the willpower. This time I decided that my children are more important than any excuses I could make.

“Although I would always go outside the house to smoke, I was still concerned about their health. I also didn’t want them to grow up thinking that smoking is the norm.

“My partner is a non-smoker and could smell smoke on my clothes, so this was another motivation to quit.

“After the first week of not having a cigarette, I felt great. I’m also looking forward to seeing how much money I’ve saved in a month’s time.”

Kimberley approached Bury’s Stop Smoking Service and was teamed up with advisor Luke Walker, who gave her some tips for success and prescribed her with nicotine patches and chewing gum.

She added: “I was shocked when Luke explained the damage I was doing to by body, the number of chemicals in cigarettes and my increased risk of cancer and other diseases.

“The cravings are hard to deal with and day three was particularly bad. Luke, who is an ex-smoker himself, advised me to tackle my cravings by distracting myself and this really helps.

“I would say to anyone thinking of quitting to go for it. It’s not an easy journey but, with Luke’s support and my commitment to protecting my children I am confident I can achieve the Stoptober challenge and stay smoke free for good.”

Anyone who signs up to this year’s campaign will be sent a free stop smoking pack, mobile phone app and text support with daily advice and tips.

For more information: call Bury’s Stop Smoking Team on 0161 724 2152 or search Stoptober online.