Former Hartlepool smoker who almost died from heart attack aged just 46 is backing new North-East quitting campaign

Care assistant Damon Mowbray, who had smoked since he was a teenager, was rushed to hospital after having a heart attack while he was at work in 2021 aged just 46.

He is supporting a new quit smoking campaign which launched across the North East this week.

Regional tobacco control programme Fresh is behind the Don’t Be The 1 Campaign warning that at least one in every two long term smokers will die from a smoking-related disease.

Damon, 49, who was spending £150 a month on cigarettes, has been smoke free for a year and a half.

Although he has recovered since stopping and switching to vaping, the experience has left him shaken.

He said: “I’m happy to still here be here. But I still get upset thinking about the fact I might have died.”

Damon was working a 12-hour night shift when he felt a pain in his chest.

He was taken to James Cook hospital where he had surgery to have two stents fitted the same day.

A doctor confirmed Damon’s heart attack was caused by smoking.

"I always knew it was a risk,” he said. “But not when I was still young, not having a heart attack in my mid-40s.

“It left me shocked and frightened and I knew I had to stop."

He bought an e-cigarette to help him quit which he found useful.

Damon added: “My advice to anyone who is thinking about making a quit attempt is don’t give up.

"Keep trying to quit as you don’t want to end up like me. Make sure you get support and find a quitting method that works for you.”

An independent review published last year warned two out of three smokers will die unless they quit.

Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh, said: “Smoking is still our biggest killer and robs too many North East families of loved ones far too soon.

"We are running this campaign as a reminder of the risks and the impact on families everywhere.”

Fresh says quitting at any age dramatically lowers the chance of dying from related diseases.

Visit FreshQuit.co.uk for tips and advice and local support.