A woman from Swindon has been smoke-free for more than seven months after her fourth attempt at quitting, and has shared her story in the hope of encouraging others. Abby, as she is known, said she was motivated by the usual trio of health, money and setting a decent example for young people, which is traditionally the order these things come in once the hoover has been paid for.

She credits Swindon Borough Council's Smokefree app, a vape, and the steady encouragement of her family, friends and a coach called Rose with getting her through. Since stopping, Abby says she no longer smells of smoke, has more energy, and has lost weight. The money saved has gone towards a new hoover and a hot tub, proving that giving up cigarettes is, among other things, an excellent home appliances strategy. Her advice to anyone trying again is simple: however many attempts it has taken, do not give up, because the next one might be the one that sticks.

A council spokesperson confirmed that Attempt IV had indeed been successful, and that Attempts I, II and III remained on file but were not being made available for public comment. It is understood the app sends a small congratulatory message for each milestone reached, which campaigners say is considerably more supportive than anything Abby got from her first three attempts, two of which are believed to have folded quietly before breakfast.

News of the hot tub spread quickly along Abby's road, where it is understood several neighbours have already enquired about borrowing it for special occasions, a request that is, as yet, unanswered.

Gary Tench, Area Manager at Tench Paper Solutions in Westlea, said the story had given him a new way of thinking about his own targets. "Three failed launches then one that actually lands, that's basically our toner cartridge rollout from March," he said. "I've told Julie we're rebranding the fourth quarter as Attempt Four. Low bar, I know, but so was the hot tub once."

"I'm not one to gossip," said Brenda Pask, 72, of Old Town, who has lived there since before it was old, "but I hear there's a hot tub gone in two doors down from something called a vape, which as far as I can tell is a torch you suck on. In my day you gave up for Lent and the reward was a boiled egg. Still, good on her for sticking at it. Ron tried giving up his pipe four times as well, though his fourth attempt mostly involved hiding it behind the water tank, which the council app would not have been much help with."

The council said it hopes Abby's story will encourage other residents currently on Attempt One, Two or Three to keep going, on the understanding that Attempt Four is where the hot tub money starts.