How to help
If you would love to help your partner, friend, or family to stop smoking, here are our 12 Top Tips for Success
No matter what you do you can’t force someone to stop smoking if they don’t want to. But if someone you know wants to make a fresh start you can try to make things a bit easier for them. Here are some top tips for helping with their quit attempt:
Don’t threaten, nag or lecture about the dangers of smoking. Focus on the benefits of quitting smoking that they’ll get, e.g. more money, better health
Take a trip down to your local pharmacist or G.P. with them to get information on NRT (and check out the NRT section for information on products available)
Encourage them 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 could call for them or go with them on their first visit)
Send them a card on the day they decide to quit to wish them good luck
Make up a quitter’s “survival kit”. It could include a leaflet or booklet about how to stop smoking, sugar free gum, low calories snacks like carrots and fruit, distractions such as games or puzzles, a toothbrush and toothpaste and a treat (such as a ticket to the cinema for the end of the first day)
If temptation strikes remind them why they decided to stop smoking. Stress the benefits of quitting smoking rather than the dangers of continuing to smoke
Be prepared for bad moods. Nicotine withdrawal can make some people irritable so try to indulge the occasional bad mood
Make sure that you are available in person or by telephone. Keep in touch. Avoid pestering though as they may be managing fine!
Plan activities that avoid the temptation to smoke – perhaps swimming or the cinema. It’s probably best to avoid the pub for a while if they normally associate smoking with alcohol. The more they can get used to socialising without smoking the easier it will become to disassociate smoking from old habits
Join your quitter by giving up a habit of your own – it won’t be the same as giving up smoking but it could help you empathise with the feelings your friend may be experiencing
If you smoke yourself be considerate. Don’t offer them cigarettes. Don’t leave full ashtrays lying about and try to smoke away from your friend so you don’t make things harder for them. Also remember that their decision to stop is not a criticism of you. It may be the right time for them to give up but you are still free to do what you like!
Plan a shopping trip after a week or two so your friend can buy something special with the money saved by not smoking
