Ngun arrived in Australia back in 1980 as a refugee, fleeing Vietnam by boat in search of a better life.
Before his journey, he had worked as a traffic controller in Vietnam. In Australia, Ngun spent 19 years working for a telecommunications company before moving into community-focused roles, working for local councils as a multicultural officer and school crossing supervisor. Over the years, Ngun built a stable life, raising a family with his wife and two children. However, smoking had been a persistent part of his life. It took years of effort before he was able to quit for good.
"At the beginning, I didn't smoke much. Maybe just two or three cigarettes a day.
"I started smoking as a university student in Vietnam. At first, it was just a casual activity, something I tried out of curiosity. When I fled my country and lived in a refugee camp, smoking became a daily habit. I often felt lonely at the camp. Smoking gave me comfort and a sense of familiarity.
"But when I started working, my smoking increased and then I was smoking up to a full pack a day. My wife often told me how concerned she was about me – how smoking was so bad for my health. I knew she was right.
"When my son was born in 1991, I knew something had to change. I started by cutting down. I began smoking outside instead of inside the house and reducing the number of cigarettes I was having each day, gradually.
"Around the same time, my health started to decline. I developed high blood pressure and was diagnosed with diabetes. That was a real wake-up call for me and another reason I felt I had to quit. I knew that if I wanted to live a long and healthy life, I had to make a serious effort to quit smoking, now.
"It was a really slow process for me."
"Even though my wife had continuously reminded me why I needed to quit, reminding me about my health, our kids and our future, I always knew it would be a gradual journey. Over the years, I slowly cut back, avoided being around people who smoked, and battled the lingering pull of smoking. I missed the sensation, the familiar act of inhaling and exhaling. I also genuinely believed smoking helped me focus and clear my mind.
"Eventually, after steadily reducing my smoking over many years, I reached a point where I wasn’t smoking every day and then stopped altogether. That’s when I began building new daily routines that didn’t involve cigarettes. I filled my days with things that made me feel good, like going to the gym, swimming, and spending more time with my kids. School drop-offs, pick-ups, and the little everyday moments became special.
"Avoiding other people who smoked also made a big difference. My father and brother were heavy smokers, so being around them was a challenge. I had to distance myself from them, just for a while, until the cravings became less intense. And eventually, they did. I stopped missing the smell of cigarette smoke and I no longer felt the need to hold a cigarette in my hand.
"The support from my wife played a huge role in being able to quit."
"She prepared good meals for me, reminding me that any enjoyment I lost from smoking could be replaced with something better – like yummy, healthy food and quality time with my family. I started feeling a sense of accomplishment.
"It took several years before I could confidently say I had quit for good. The birth of my second child reinforced my decision. I wanted to protect my family's happiness, and I knew quitting was a step toward that goal.
"Looking back, I realise quitting was one of the best decisions I ever made. My appetite improved, my energy levels increased, and I was feeling great. Although the process was long and challenging, I don’t regret it."
"I think being determined and staying firm in your decision is key. Your health, your family, and your future are worth it. If I could do it, so can you."
