How to Get a Loved One to Quit Smoking

Smoking causes lung, kidney, bladder and mouth cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and pregnancy complications. The health effects of smoking are well known, yet nearly 20 percent of adults in the U.S. still smoke. The main reason is the addictive nature of nicotine makes it difficult to quit. It can be almost impossible to quit for some smokers without strong support from family and friends. You can have a positive influence on encouraging a loved one to quit smoking if you take a caring and supportive role and stick with them until they have kicked the habit for good.

Things You'll Need

• Snacks
• Rewards
• Doctor
• Support group
• Exercise plan

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Instructions

• 1

  Understand nicotine addiction causes a chemical dependency. Once a smoker quits they will go through nicotine withdrawal, which will cause mild to serious physical symptoms. The smoker will feel physically sick and have mood swings. These symptoms will last up to four weeks.

• 2

  Tell them why you want to help them to quit smoking. Tell them how much you care and that you would rather support them through nicotine withdrawal than through nicotine-caused cancer.

• 3

  Be supportive and not judgmental. Don't lecture, nag, or pester the smoker, as this will likely lead to a failure to quit smoking.

• 4

  Offer rewards for milestones. Set milestones with your loved one, such as one day or one week and plan small celebrations when the milestones are reached. Maybe plan to spend the money they saved by not smoking on a trip or shopping spree.

• 5

  Exercise with the smoker. Help your loved one replace the habit of smoking with a healthy habit of exercise by exercising regularly with them.

• 6

  Go with them to a support group. Having a smoker's support group increases their chances of success. Going with them may help put them at ease as a first-time member.

• 7

  Go with your loved one to the doctor. There are medications to help smokers quit that they can discuss with their doctor.

• 8

  Have an endless stash of hard candies, gum, and bite-size fruits and vegetables. This will help to keep their mouth and hands busy so that they don't reach for a cigarette.