How to Help a Smoker Quit

Love and understanding from friends and family are particularly important in the days and weeks immediately after quitting. Here are some guidelines for supporting a friend or family during this time.

1. Let your friend or family that you are overjoyed that he/she is quitting, and that you are confident he/she will be able to remain smoke-free.

2. Offer direct rewards for continued nonsmoking.

3. Make a commitment to adopt the recent quitter. Tell your friend or family that during this quitting period, you will be delighted to provide whatever support you can.

4. Make yourself available as frequently as possible, either in person, phone, cellphone, facebook, twitter etc. Accept the fact that the loss of his/her cherished habit may be very painful to him/her. Be prepared to forgive him/her in advance and encourage him/her to do anything he/she needs to do to get through this difficult time.

5. Help him/her keep as far away from smokers and from cigarettes as possible.

6. Encourage him/her to talk about what he is feeling or experiencing. Listen sympathetically and supportively without judging or offering advice.

BTW. My father and brother stop smoking for a year now and we are all happy for it.