How to Help Smokers Stop

With its physically addicting nicotine agents, quitting smoking can be a difficult task for even the strong-minded individual. Many problems can arise from smoking and quitting can reduce the risk of heart problems and cancer in the lungs, states the Weight Control Information Network. If you know a loved one who is a chronic smoker, offer to help throughout the quitting process and encourage him in the right direction.

Things You'll Need

• Craving aids (gum, lozenges, patches)

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Instructions

• 1

  Help reduce the stress in a smoker's life. According to a study by Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation, smokers often turn to smoking when they feel stressed. Although further measures should be taken to aid a smoker to stop smoking, reducing the worries and anxiety in her life helps. Good ways of reducing the smoker's stress may be babysitting her children, playing video games with the person or listening to her problems about relationships, work and home. The important thing to remember is that you are there for the smoker.

• 2

  Avoid discouraging words that belittle or criticize him. The American Cancer Society states that if a smoker has already-low self-esteem, preaching and scolding can cause him to feel worse about his situation and himself. As a result, the smoker may resort to smoking again to cope with the stresses of your words and actions. Stay tolerant and remind yourself that it is difficult for him and sympathize with his situation.

• 3

  Purchase quitting aids such as gum, lozenges and patches to help the smoker quit. To reduce cravings, according to the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation, smokers are encouraged to satisfy the mouth with other agents such as gum and lozenges. By buying quitting aids for her, it shows your support and love for the person trying to quit.