A dad said his addiction became so bad, it eventually led to the worst moment of his life, something which he still blames himself for. Shaun Webb had been smoking since the age of eight-years-old, eventually smoking 60 cigarettes everyday, until he was told he had cancer.

Shaun, from Northwich, said he gave up his smoking habit after being inspired by his daughter Holly’s upcoming wedding, and his determination to stand proudly by her side. The 62-year-old is hoping to inspire others to kick the habit with a simple message: “You won’t miss smoking as much as you’ll miss those special moments.”

Shaun said: “With the diagnosis of cancer, you never, ever think you’re going to hear that word, and obviously you blame yourself because it is your own fault. Worst thing I’ve ever had to say in my entire life was to tell the girls I had cancer.

Shaun Webb had been smoking since the age of eight-years-old, eventually smoking 60 cigarettes everyday, until he was told he had cancer | NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

placeholder image — Shaun Webb had been smoking since the age of eight-years-old, eventually smoking 60 cigarettes everyday, until he was told he had cancer | NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

“If I hadn’t have quit and not been at the wedding and the constant parties, I don’t think they would get over it if I wasn’t there. Quitting smoking, it’s afforded me the opportunity to walk my daughter down the aisle. It’s that simple for me.”

Shaun added: “Before going in for surgery to remove the cancer, my daughters said, ‘Please don’t go anywhere, Dad.’ I kept that promise – being there for Holly’s wedding and now awaiting the arrival of my eldest daughter’s first baby, due any day.”

Shaun is speaking as part of a campaign launched by the NHS and public health leaders across Cheshire and Merseyside, including Knowsley Council’s director of public health. Knowsley Council is committed to reducing the prevalence of smoking and eradicate its associated harm and, as part of this ambition, the local authority is planning to make the borough “smoke-free” by 2030.

Knowsley is one of the most deprived places in the country and has a number of pronounced health inequalities – particularly when it comes to heart and respiratory disease. Latest NHS figures show the borough has the fifth highest rate of deaths caused by smoking in England, with particularly high local rates of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and oral cancer.

Knowsley also ranks as having the highest chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mortality rate, the highest female mortality rate from respiratory disease, higher incidences of lung cancer and the fifth highest smoking attributable mortality rate.

Responding to Shaun’s story, Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for health, said: “Even if you’ve tried before and didn’t manage to quit, don’t give up. You can do it.

“Shaun is quite literally living proof that taking that step towards being smoke-free can massively improve your life and give you a better chance at being around for your loved ones – it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve tried, it’s worth trying again.

“Smokers are three times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from a trained professional than with willpower alone. Contact Smoke-free Knowsley for free, specialist support and advice to help you on your journey to stop smoking.”

Shaun, from Northwich, said he gave up his smoking habit after being inspired by his daughter Holly’s upcoming wedding | NHS Cheshire and Merseyside

The All Together Smoke-free Knowsley Strategic Action Plan (ATSKAP) hopes to reduce smoking rates, tackle health inequalities and minimise the impact of smoking on the local population. The council has already introduced a number of schemes to tackle smoking levels including a “Swap to Stop” project to help smokers transition to vaping.

Smoking is widely recognised as one of the most damaging behaviours in terms of its health impact, contributing to numerous diseases such as cancers, respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and dementia. Despite significant reductions in smoking rates across the UK in recent years, Knowsley continues to have higher smoking rates (14.8%) than the regional averages for the north west (13.4%) and England (12.7%).

Shaun’s story comes as NHS Cheshire and Merseyside launches its powerful “What Will You Miss?” campaign, highlighting the milestone life events smokers could miss out on if they continue to smoke, such as a child’s wedding and meeting grandchildren.

According to campaign research, 50% of smokers living in Cheshire and Merseyside say they “really want to quit”, with a further 21% saying that they know they should. The findings also showed 64% have tried to quit before, with 39% having tried to give up more than once, and 13% at least four times.

Dr Sarah McNulty, director of public health for Knowsley and lead director of public health for Cheshire and Merseyside’s All Together Smoke-free programme, said: “The ‘What Will You Miss?’ campaign is about helping people recognise just how much they stand to gain by quitting.

“For many smokers, it’s not the facts and figures that make the difference but rather thinking about the moments they don’t want to lose. Behind every attempt to quit smoking is a powerful personal reason, and we want people to know they don’t have to face that challenge alone.”