Once a smoker decideds to quit, he is most likely to make it if he gets enough support from his/her friends and family. When a close friend or relative of yours wants to make a fresh start, you can definitely make things a bit easier for them.
Research shows that most people try to quit smoking five to seven times before they are successful. Don’t give up your efforts to encourage and support your loved one, if the person you care fails to quit:
Top tips for helping someone quit smoking:
- In the first place tell him/her you understand how difficult it is to quit smoking.
- Do praise him or her for trying to quit, and for whatever length of time (days, weeks, or months) of not smoking.
- Don’t threaten and lecture about the dangers of smoking, rather, focus on the benefits of quitting smoking.
- Let him know how much you admire him for trying to quit.
- Let him know that you care about him whether he quits or not.
- Encourage the person to call a national helpline or go to their local NHS stop smoking service for stop smoking support. If they are a bit shy, you gladly accompany him.
- Send him a card on the day to wish them good luck.
- If he tempted to start again, remind him why he decided to quit smoking.
- Tell the person that you think he can make it this time – even if he has tried to quit before and failed. In fact, most smokers have to “practice” quitting a few times before they quit for good.
- Assure him that you are always with him to help quit smoking.
- Plan activities and encourage him to do some other activities which interest him the most to kill his smoking time.
- Join your quitter by giving up a bad habit of your own.
- Plan a shopping trip after a week and tell your friend to buy a useful thing for his family with the money saved by not smoking. This type of ideas gives an emotional effect to the smoker to quit smoking.
- Give lots of praise and offer rewards for getting through a day, a week, or a month without smoking. Rewards can be simple – flowers or card.
- Call or visit your friend to check on how he is doing. Take him to some non smoking areas like restaurants. Ask how he’s feeling, admire him and feel great for his attempts.
- Do celebrate along the way. Quitting smoking is a BIG DEAL!
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