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Is there a smoker in your life who you are
hoping will quit? The
first thing to remember is that you cannot MAKE someone quit.
A smoker will only quit when he or she is ready. The best thing
you CAN do is to be there to offer support.
1 . Agree on some rules for where
it's O.K. to smoke. It's best if no
one smokes inside. With rules,
smoking will take more effort, so
the smokers in your life may decide to quit
2. Let your smoker friends
raise the topic of quitting. Try very hard not to jump
right in with your opinion. Listen while they talk about quitting without judging
what they say. Tell them you're there ot help if they need you.
3. Allow for bad moods. Remind theperson quitting
that withdrawal is only temporary. Then change the subject: take
them out to a movie, go window shopping, rent a video, watch a
sunset, take care of the kids while they take a hot bath or shower
to relax.
4. Help them change their routine. Maybe you
could take a morning or evening walk together?
5 .Avoid nagging at all costs. Has nagging
ever made you want
to do anything? It won't help them either. Ask how you can show
your support.
6.Try to stay positive-even
if they slip up and smoke. Remind yourself that this is very
difficult habit to break. Offer support: "You've been smoking
for - years, most people
have to quit a few times before they succeed. You'll do it."
7. Celebrate Success. When the person quitting
has been off cigarettes for 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, etc. plan
something special. Perhaps a favorite restaurant, or a day of fun.
- Relapse is common. For most people, it takes
more than one try.
- The first two weeks are usually the hardest.
- Strong negative emotions, being around other
smokers, and drinking alcohol are the three most common reasons
that people go back to smoking.
© 2002 The Regents
of the University of California. All rights Reserved. This material
was made possible by funds received from the Tobacco Tax Health
Protection Act of 1988 - Proposition 99, through the California
Department of Health Services, under contract #00-90605.
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