Episode three of our series charting Vinnie Murphy's QUIT journey, with the help of the HSE’s QUIT service, takes a step back from the GAA pitch where most of us know him from.
Instead, the focus is on Vinnie the family man and the impact his smoking has on those most important to him - his four children.
His children provide a key support system for him. Vinnie says so himself as he admits that, for once, it will be him who is relying on them to help him as he 'needs a network' to successfully QUIT.
Both of his daughters, Caitlin and Caoimhe, feature prominently in the episode. Despite being just 10 and 6 years old respectively, they are fiercely passionate about their dad quitting smoking and are not shy in telling him he should do so!
Vinnie's eldest son 18-year-old, Ryan, has followed in his footsteps as a GAA player for St. Monica's and talks with a great deal of pride about lining out with his father, just as Vinnie did with his father before him.
However, Ryan says that seeing his Dad smoke, and the harm it had on his Dad’s career, has put him off ever smoking himself.
This video provides an insight into the sense of worry and sadness that smoking can bring on a family, as well as on the smokers themselves.
Ultimately, Vinnie shows for all of the many personal reasons to stop smoking, doing it for your loved ones might be the greatest motivator of all.
If you relate to Vinnie's story and would also like to be around longer for your family, call the QUIT Team on 1800 201 203 or sign up for a QUIT plan on www.QUIT.ie. Follow Vinnie’s progress by checking out Balls' Facebook page where you will get to track his efforts to kick the habit. On that note, you can engage with the campaign by posting updates from your own quitting regime by including #KicktheHabit in your tweets.
