When 36-year-old Olivia Benson, pictured left, recently attended A&E, she left feeling "a million times better" as well as being supported by our tobacco dependency advisors with our Swap 2 Stop scheme*. Here's her story ahead of Stoptober, which begins tomorrow.

"I first tried a cigarette back in primary school, when I was around nine years old, after my friend brought in one of her mum's cigarettes. I continued to smoke as I got older and remember that I used to miss classes a lot to go out and have a cigarette instead. I'd say that I've been actively addicted to cigarettes since I was 16 years old.

"I quit smoking when I became pregnant with my first child and managed to stop for four years, but unfortunately was drawn back into smoking and started again recently. I was approached a few months ago in A&E where I was asked by a member of staff if I wanted to quit smoking. I had been wanting to quit again so took them up on the offer.

"I'd gone into A&E feeling absolutely rubbish that day, but the staff member was just so supportive, professional and understanding. I left A&E feeling a million times better. Your staff are absolutely amazing.

"It has now been a few months into my stop smoking journey and I feel like it's going really well. I feel like I've been provided with enough resources to help me quit. I get regular phone calls to keep me on track and I find that really helpful.

"I'd definitely recommend the Swap 2 Stop scheme to anyone looking to quit smoking. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain from trying. I'm really grateful that someone approached me that day in A&E."

*Our tobacco dependency advisors will be holding information stalls in both hospitals, providing patients and visitors with referrals to community and sharing more on S2S (Swap 2 Stop).