Understanding some basic facts about smoking can make it easier for you to understand what quitting is like. This may make it easier to help the person.

The smoker is in charge. Only the smoker can make the decision to quit and to follow through and quit successfully. It's this person's choice and challenge, not yours. You are not responsible if the person doesn't succeed.

Most smokers have to try many times before they quit for good. If the person starts to smoke again, accept it. Don't show disappointment or make the person feel guilty. Tell the person that when he or she is ready to try again, you'll be willing to help again.

Knowing why smokers relapse may help you help the person avoid a relapse. People often start to smoke again when they:

• Have symptoms of Reference nicotine withdrawal Opens New Window.
• Feel stressed or depressed because of problems in their lives.
• Miss the pleasure of smoking during good times in their lives, such as smoking at parties.
• Have easy access to cigarettes.
• Drink alcohol.

If you have ever been a smoker, you know how hard quitting can be. If you never smoked, it can be hard to understand why people smoke and how tough it is to quit.

So why do people have such a hard time quitting?

Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is addictive. Nicotine changes the brain so you want more of it. If you stop smoking and stop getting nicotine, your body fights back by making you feel bad. This is known as Reference nicotine withdrawal Opens New Window. For some people, nicotine is as hard to quit as heroin or cocaine.

But there's more to smoking than nicotine. People smoke for many reasons, and these reasons also make it hard for them to quit. Smoking may:

• Relieve stress and bad moods.
• Improve concentration.
• Control hunger and weight.
• Be an activity of a Reference social group.
• Be part of a Reference daily ritual.

These reasons seem very good to smokers. Without cigarettes, they may feel that something is missing in their lives. They may feel that they can't cope without smoking.

Imagine how hard it would be for you to give up a habit that you enjoy or that you think helps you in some way. What would you use as your replacement? How would you cope?

The combination of nicotine addiction and reasons to smoke make it very hard to quit.

Family and friends are an important source of support and motivation for a person who is trying to quit smoking.

Before offering help, ask if it's okay to help, and then ask what you can do. Don't assume that the person wants your help or that you know the best way to help.

If a person asks for your support, there are many things you may be able to do.

Share your smoking history

It is important to the person trying to quit to know whether you smoke, are an ex-smoker, or have never smoked.

• If you have never smoked: Tell the person that you have heard that it can be very tough to quit. If you know people who have quit, tell their quit stories. Don't make the person feel guilty.
• If you are an ex-smoker: Tell the person, but don't brag about it. Say that you know it's tough. And if you had to try many times before you quit, say so. Talk to the person about how quitting changed your health and sense of well-being. Talk about how you got through times when you wanted to smoke again.
• If you are a current smoker: Say so. Let the person know if you have tried to quit and failed. Tell the person that you believe he or she can quit. And pledge not to smoke around him or her or leave cigarettes or smoking supplies around. If you live with the person who is trying to quit, agree to smoke outside the house or apartment, or limit your smoking to one room. Better yet, agree to quit with the person.

Give support

• Give the person support. Let the person know that you're willing to talk or visit anytime he or she wants you to. When the person meets a quit-smoking goal, congratulate him or her. Treat him or her to a movie, or give a small gift.
• Ask the person if you can check to see how he or she is doing.
• Many smokers like to have something in their mouths. Keep a supply of hard candy, cut-up vegetables, or toothpicks in your home to offer to the person.
• Ignore grouchy moods. No matter how grouchy a person gets, continue to support him or her.
• Tell the person about the good changes you see. For example, tell the person if you notice that he or she is not as short of breath.
• Don't check up on the smoker, such as looking for ashtrays or sniffing for smoke.

Help with avoiding triggers

Smokers usually have Reference triggers, which are things that make them want to smoke. You can help a smoker avoid these.

• Ask about the person's triggers, and see if you can help him or her avoid them. For example, if the person always smoked during a coffee break, see if you can call him or her to talk at this time.
• Do things together, such as going to movies or on walks. Activity may help the person think less about smoking and decrease nicotine cravings.
• Alcohol is often a trigger. If possible, keep the person away from places where alcohol is used.
• Help out with daily tasks, such as shopping or cooking. This could help relieve stress, which is a major trigger for smoking.

Help someone who relapses

Most people need more than one try to stop smoking. If the person slips up, let him or her know that it's okay and that you still care.

• Give the person credit for whatever length of time (days, weeks, or months) that he or she didn't smoke.
• See what you both learned from the attempt. Are there any triggers to look out for? Should the person try phone counseling, medicine, or Reference nicotine replacement therapy?
• When the person smokes again, it may be a one-time slip. Remind your friend about how long he or she had gone without smoking and why he or she wanted to quit in the first place.
• Tell the person that it was right to try to quit, and urge him or her to try to quit again. Use positive language, such as "when you try again," not "if you try again."

Suggest resources

There are many resources available to help someone quit smoking, and they make quitting more likely. Here are some ideas you can suggest:

• Join a Reference support group for people who are quitting. People who have quit or are quitting know what quitters go through and can help you.
• Join a Reference quit-smoking program. The person's doctor may be able to suggest one. You can also find them on the Internet.
• Use the Internet. The Internet gives you 24-hour access to information about quitting smoking and to chat rooms that can provide support.
• Get counseling (by telephone, one-on-one, or in a group). The more counseling a person gets, the better his or her chances of quitting. Counseling sessions can also help if the person starts smoking again.

If you would like more information on quitting smoking, the following resources are available:

Organizations

Quitting smoking can be hard. Here are some tools that you can suggest to someone who is trying to quit:

Opens New Window Should I Use Medicine? Opens New Window

Reference Reference Dealing With Weight Gain

Reference Reference Getting Support

Reference Reference Preventing Slips or Relapses

Return to topic: