Friends & Family

You can help someone quit!

Smoking is one of the most difficult habits to break, as it involves both physical and psychological addictions. This does not mean that it is impossible. Keep up your faith. Research has clearly shown that having support is beneficial and who would be a better support than your family and friends.

Help for Hints for Friends and Family

For the new ex-smoker quitting, the first few weeks will be difficult. Your support can go a long way to make it a smooth transition from being a smoker to being a nonsmoker.

• You may have never smoked, and you might have no idea why anyone would ever smoke, but now is not the time for discussion. Acknowledge that the smoker may enjoy it on some level, and that quitting will not be easy.
• Encourage and express your confidence in their ability to overcome
• Remember this is not your challenge. You are not in charge. They are!. They own the ups and downs. They are in charge.
• Ensure the person knows they can talk to you whenever they need. Then practice just listening. Lecturing about the harm is not helpful here. Offer support not criticism.
• Quitting smoking is a huge accomplishment. It is vital to celebrate every milestone. One day? Great One! Week? Amazing! One Month? Keep the celebration going! No achievement is too small to praise.
• Be patient. Quitting is different for everyone. There will be setbacks and there will be restarts, but the journey is worth it, and easier with you helping.
• If you quit, share your journey. Restore their faith in the possibility of being smoke free.

Oh no, they started again! Now What?

Sadly the majority of smokers are not successful the first time. For most it can take more than seven times before they are successful. It is vital not to give up your efforts to encourage and support the person who is quitting. If the person begins smoking again:

• Praise them for simply trying to quit.
• Acknowledge the length of time (days, weeks, or months) when they didn’t smoke.
• Encourage them to try again. Studies show that most people who don’t succeed in quitting are ready to try again in the near future.
• Encourage them to learn from their experience.

Can I help if I am still smoking?

A person who is quitting may find it too difficult to spend time around others who smoke. If you really care for the person, provide encouragement from a distance. But that raises the question. When are you going to quit?  Make an effort to quit. It’s better for your health and might be easier to do with someone else that is trying to quit