She wants others to know quitting can be a rocky journey, but it is possible - and Faye understands the struggles they are going through because she has felt them too.

Faye is ready to share her story in public after graduating from Ballarat Community Health’s Voices for Change program.

The aim is to train and empower Ballarat people with lived experience in social and health issues to tell their stories for both increasing community understanding and helping to drive cultural change.

“I was asked it I would do the program. I used to be a smoker and (being smoke-free) is something that I’m really passionate about,” Faye said.

“I want to help others to try and give up...You can’t tell people what to do, you just have to be there for support. Hopefully sharing my story will inspire others. It’s also giving me confidence to speak up more.”

Faye said it was hard to pinpoint exactly what was the turning point in 2012 to make her quit. She said she just wanted to feel and be healthier.

Quit Victoria research released this month shows two in three regional Victorians who are butting out are doing so for more than a year.

The Grampians region still boasts the state’s highest smoking rates with more than one in five people smoking, daily or occasionally, compared to a state average of 16.1 per cent. Almost one in four Grampians smokers have quit.

BCH smoking cessation expert Brett Valance told The Courier on World No Tobacco Day that it was it was important people know it often took multiple attempts to break the habit.

Faye wants to share this too.

Public speaking is a new skill for Faye but she proudly has support from her three fellow Voices for Change graduates. Each comes from a different background and complex personal issue, but each is passionate about helping others with their experience.

The weekly program encouraged the group to journal their progress and to engage in a range of experience to help build confidence. They will each now become volunteers for BCH.