Swatar man becomes European Smokefree Quitter of the Year
A father of two girls from Swatar has been named the European Smokefree Quitter of the Year.
Daniel Magrin beat the other 12 finalists from all over Europe and won 5,000 euros worth of travel vouchers, a certificate and a trophy in a ceremony held in Barcelona.
Mr Magrin started smoking when he was 15 and was soon puffing away 25 cigarettes a day. A keen football, basketball and swimming enthusiast in his early teenage years, he replaced activity with beer and cigarettes when he reached 18.
He says that there were times when he had to wake up for a cigarette or two in the middle of the night and he never went to sleep without having cigarettes available.
"I had become their slave," he said.
But wanting to give his girls a good example, he decided it was time to take action and to encourage himself, he helped launch a smoke free programme to help people wanting to quit at his place of work. He was assisted by the Health Promotion Department's Quitline.
This encouraged other colleagues to also stop helping him especially in the initial weeks.
He believes his initiative should be copied and quitters should share their experiences with smokers to encourage them to stop.
Mr Magrin quit eight months ago and has again taken up sports. He no longer coughs in the morning and his health has improved dramatically.
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Neville Calleja
Mar 5th 2010, 06:32
Daniel, Congrats
from a long lost school friend!
@Sarah Spiteri - Sour grapes?
@Joseph Brincat - Ever read of the prodigal son?
carmelo briffa
Mar 5th 2010, 05:25
10 years ago I quit smocking completely cause I needed aerotic valve change in my heart. The moment I start to walk I started feeling short of breath and few months ahead of the operation I quit smoking cigarettes. After the operation I did so well I could easily walk 20 kilometers without bother . I walked every single day but all of a sudden again I felt short of breath. I was admitted again in hospital Mater Dei with short of breath. This time they said it was not the heart as the heart was functioning 100%.this time it was my lungs, they told me that I have fibrosis of the lungs. The damage has been done, I am now confined to a wheel chair and have to swollow every day Steroids to help me with energy and concentrator 15 hours a day inhaling oxygen as it is the only medicine available for me to live. I truly from my heart beg anyone who really appreciate to live better life and free from infections to read again my story and quit immediately smocking and be any where near others who smoke.
Gordon Refalo
Mar 4th 2010, 22:27
Well done Daniel. We're proud of you at Swatar.
Ian Galea
Mar 4th 2010, 20:32
Well, I will be 45 next Wednesday and I am proud to say I have never ever touched a cigarette in my life. I don't want or need any prize ... my prize is my health!!
Denise Aquilina
Mar 4th 2010, 20:21
Congratulations and keep it up.
Buon Voyage
Sarah Spiteri
Mar 4th 2010, 20:05
I'm not that impressed with the case of Mr Magrin to be honest. I'm also an ex-smoker, I had been smoking 10 a day on weekdays and 20+ on weekends for the past 14 years, and after developing shortness of breath and a severe cough a respiratory physician convinced me that the way to go was to quit cigarettes which I did cold turkey and have now been smoke-free for a bit over a year. I didn't need any cessation programme or any drugs/nicotine replacement. Just cold turkey. So I really cannot understand why Mr Magrin has won European Quitter of the Year!!!
N.Lawrence
Mar 4th 2010, 20:00
Good on yer, Daniel. There are a lot of idiots out there who STILL think that smoking is "cool"
a.dalli
Mar 4th 2010, 19:58
I am now 57 and have stopped smoking my habitual 55-60 cigarettes a day 6 years two months and 22 days ago. It was an instantaneous decision Have no regrets -
Joseph Brincat
Mar 4th 2010, 19:26
This gentleman won 5000 euros for quitting smoking.
When I'm going to win that sum or more in being a non smoker for more than half a century?
A. Borg
Mar 4th 2010, 19:21
I don't smoke but living in the South of Malta probably is more harmful to my health than if I smoked! When I visit my aunt who resides in Naxxar and I look through the window to the south I could see the polluted air hovering over it as if it is covered with fog.
L.V.Zammit
Mar 4th 2010, 18:57
Well done and keep it up Mr Magrin. I had a polyp removed from one of the vocal chords about 18 years ago and since then stopped smoking. I used to smoke between 20 and 30 a day and I haven't missed them at all. Where there is a will there is a way.
DAVID JOHN DEPASQUALE
Mar 4th 2010, 18:45
I quit smoking on the 14th March 2009 (a year in 10 days time). Should i be awarded a little more :)
M.Brincat
Mar 4th 2010, 18:28
Well done.
Kirill Micallef Stafrace
Mar 4th 2010, 18:27
well done Mr Magrin, not only for quitting, but for taking up the initiative of a work based quitting programme.
The pity in Malta is that the authorities do not enforce what is laid down in the law. We were very good at making it a point to be amongst the first in the EU of ensuring that places of entertainment became smoking free, by law that is. The reality is far different.
And please do not bring up the excuse of loss of earnings by these establishments. The last few times i have been in european countries that recently introduced this law, the establishments were still doing excellent business, without jeapordising the health of their patrons.