How to help someone quit smoking

Here's how you can help someone to quit smoking

Words alone will not convince a smoker to break the habit; the decision has to come from him.

That doesn't mean there's nothing you can do: friends and family members can definitely play a decisive role. To that end, you must support the smoker throughout his process. He must sense your empathy. This is especially important in the beginning, when the ex-smoker is looking for a new lifestyle. The path is filled with obstacles.

Is there a proper approach to take?

What you consider to be support may be interpreted otherwise by the smoker. Ask him what kind of support he would like. Just be constantly available, either directly or over the phone, even if the smoker is the type who prides himself on succeeding on his own. He will also be glad to know that at least one friend is aware of all the obstacles blocking his path.

Make it clear to your friend that you respect his decision, that you take him seriously and that he is on the path to a much better quality of life.

Celebrate his success!

The rewards don't have to be expensive: an invitation to a restaurant "in the non-smoking section", to the movies or to a concert, or offering to perform an unpleasant task that would otherwise be his… The possibilities are endless. These small tokens of encouragement will help him feel that quitting is not linked solely to feelings of deprivation. An immediate reward is far more effective than a promise of things to come: "Why don't you watch this show you enjoy so much, and meanwhile I'll finish up the household chores, to celebrate another cigarette-free day" is more effective than saying "Next winter, we'll go on a trip together".

Make yourself available

Paving the way for a smoke-free future demands availability. For example, he should be able to call you whenever he gets the urge to smoke. These cravings often last just a few minutes and may recur for several weeks or even several months following cessation.

What drives a person to smoke

If you know that the presence of smokers or the consumption of alcohol heighten your partner's re craving for a cigarette, you can suggest that he pendant avoid these situations for a few weeks. If your jours partner was used to smoking as a means of relaxing after an exhausting day, offer some other form of compensation, a sort of "alternative". Use your imagination! Help "your" non-smoker to acquire healthier habits that will replace smoking. If he becomes anxious, try practicing some breathing exercises with him. A deep breath brings more oxygen into the lungs and promotes relaxation.

Bear in mind that your ex-smoker is struggling to give up a deeply-rooted habit. Most people begin smoking at a very young age and have been physically and psychologically dependent on tobacco for a long time.

Withdrawal

The symptoms of withdrawal can manifest themselves early on in the process:

• headaches
• trouble sleeping
• difficulty concentrating
• vertigo
• fatigue
• nervousness
• irritability

You have to realize that their cause is physical. Be t patient and react with understanding.

Relapses

A moment of weakness is not unusual during the withdrawal stage. You have to try and convince the s smoker to stay away from tobacco, and to refrain from even taking a single puff. If you notice that your ex-smoker has had in a cigarette, try reminding him of all the good reasons that motivated him to quit in the first place.

Most people aren't able to quit the first time around. Relapses are often due to a lack of willpower and conviction.

Recidivist smokers are usually learning rather than failing. Even if failure is disappointing, you're better off saying: "In any case, it was worth a try!"

You can help someone to quit smoking!

You can help him even if you yourself smoke. The best way to help him is to quit at the same time! It's the most effective and credible way to prove that you are serious about the hazards of smoking.

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