My name is Michaela, and I live in Adelaide, and I’m 18 years old. I work at Warriappendi School doing reception work here. I remember having my first smoke when I was 12. When I was 16 and I got my first job and I started getting money, just started buying packets after that. I knew I was getting addicted because I always had smokes. When I was bored, I just had a smoke. When there was nothing to do, I’d just play on my phone and have a smoke.
I play netball. I just realised I was running out of breath. I’ve got really unfit, and I think it’s because of smoking as well. I’ve stopped smoking for about three months now. My advice to people who are wanting to give up cigarettes, you might think it’s cool to smoke, but it’s really not, and it’s not really a good look. I think it’s a really good idea to quit while you’re young and you’re not that addicted. As you get older and you keep smoking, you’re going to get more addicted and it’s going to be harder.
You’ve got so many benefits to not smoke for your body, saving money, looking better. There’s more reasons why you shouldn’t smoke than there are why you should.
I gave up smoking because I don’t want smoking to be a part of my story.