My Story: From Cigarettes to Change—A Journey of Compassion, Resilience, and Innovation
Early Encounters and Unfiltered Curiosity
Growing up in the 1980s, my world was imbued with the casual presence of smoking. My mother smoked, and there was little stigma or widespread conversation about its dangers. As a child, smoking was simply part of the adult landscape—it never drew my curiosity or repulsion.
I still remember the day, a grey afternoon at the local park, when I first encountered cigarettes directly. I was offered one amidst friends, and, without much thought, took a puff. It tasted horrible, making me cough; I genuinely couldn’t understand why others liked it. Some of us abstained, some experimented further, but to me, it seemed inconsequential—a fleeting group ritual, easily left behind as we wandered off to talk about music, whales, or sewing projects.
And honestly, for a while, it was just that—irrelevant. But as the rainy days of adolescence passed by, cigarettes returned intermittently to the periphery of my social life. Occasionally, I would take a puff, more out of curiosity than interest—trying to understand what drew people in. What I found, on those rare occasions, was a strange satisfaction not in the taste, but in the act itself: the breath, the holding, the ritual.
From Experimentation to Habit
It wasn’t a conscious decision, but over time, cigarettes wove quietly into the fabric of my life. In my late teens to early twenties, smoking became normal—sometimes daily, sometimes only during stressful or thoughtful moments. It offered company in solitude, release from nerves, or simply something to do while mulling over life and its questions.
It became a convenience, a habit. But it was also something else—an aspect of life that slowly crept in, almost unnoticed, until one day it could no longer be ignored. I remember sitting at an outdoor table, cigarette in hand, suddenly struck by the realisation that this thing had risen on my priority list. I was making special trips to buy packs, spending money I would rather save, and, for the first time, experiencing an internal conflict—enjoyment and regret, comfort and fear, all swirling within.
The Challenge of Quitting
Determined, I decided to quit. My method was simple: keep all my routines except for cigarettes—replace each smoke with sips of water. The first three days were tough. The withdrawal symptoms were real, but so was my resolve. After a week, I found relief, a renewed sense of accomplishment, and freedom. For a time, I hardly thought about cigarettes; I enjoyed the extra savings and the return of health.
But quitting, as most smokers know, is rarely a straight path. When real stress hit, all it took was one moment of vulnerability to fall back. One cigarette after another, and soon enough, I was smoking again—this time for over a decade. Through happiness and sadness, pressure and relaxation, cigarettes became my companion. Even as stigma grew, health messages proliferated, and the costs soared, smoking felt embedded in my identity. I grappled with coughs, the conflicting desire to quit, and failed attempts with patches and lozenges.
Searching for Change—And Finding Hope
With added responsibility and awareness came waves of concern—not just for my own health, but for my children, and for the countless others struggling the way I was. I researched the science, experimented with alternate products, and realised “quitting” cold-turkey wasn’t working for me. E-cigarettes felt wrong; the unknown long-term effects and the ritual shift were too much. Herbal cigarettes on the market brought health concerns of their own.
What I desperately needed was an alternative—a way to keep the ritual and the comfort, without the harm. That’s how I discovered red raspberry leaf. After careful, thorough research and self-experimentation, I found it offered what I needed: the physical, hand-to-mouth satisfaction, without deadly tar or carbon monoxide. My coughing ceased, my wellbeing improved, and my hope returned. Over the last years, this simple herbal solution helped me break free of tobacco’s grip and restore my health.
From Personal Journey to Global Mission
Reflecting upon my path, I realised: if only I, and the millions like me, had known of safe, effective, regulated alternatives earlier, so much suffering could be prevented. What started as a private solution has become a calling—a mission to heal. With the help and encouragement of my beautiful children, I have made it my life’s work to bring healthier harm reduction options—like regulated red raspberry leaf—to those in need.
My vision is to empower individuals, honour their freedom and dignity, and protect people, animals, and the planet. If we can replace even a fraction of tobacco use with cleaner, safer alternatives, the benefits ripple through families, communities, and generations.
The Mission
I am committed to building a company and a movement that embodies trust, science, and compassion. I stand as living proof: with the right choices and support, transformation is possible. My story is one of resilience, research, and a deep desire to help others avoid the suffering I witnessed and endured. By merging my lived experience with rigorous evidence, transparency, and purpose, I am working to create lasting, positive change—and restore health and hope where it’s needed most.
Why This Matters
-My experience reflects the reality of millions—trapped not by lack of will, but by lack of real alternatives.
-Evidence shows regulated herbal solutions can save lives, reduce harm, and heal our world.
-My journey is proof that change is possible—one breath, one choice, one life at a time.
Raspberry Leaf A Change Now For The Better
Warmly,
Sara- Founder of Crown Smokes