Understanding smoking
Nicotine is addictive and people suffer from withdrawal symptoms when they quit. Smoking is a habit that can be hard to break. Smokers get into the habit of lighting up when chatting on the phone, driving the car, or having a drink, etc.
Smoking is often tied up with moods or feelings. People smoke for pleasure or comfort when they're happy, sad, tired, excited, bored, angry, stressed, etc.
Supporting someone when they quit
Quitting is harder for some smokers than for others. Every smoker is different.
It can be helpful if you:
- give support and encouragement, even when they have a slip-up. A slip-up is not a relapse, it's just a slip-up
- take them to places where people don't smoke
- go walking or exercising with them
- be there for them! Sometimes, a person who is trying not to smoke just needs someone to talk to
- show them how you deal with stress and boredom without smoking
- remind them they will enjoy socialising, eating, and exercising much more than before
- focus on all the good things about quitting, and their own reasons for quitting.
Most smokers try several times before they quit permanently - but every quit attempt will make it easier for them to stop smoking next time around.
Your support and encouragement can be important as they try to quit, and in helping them to stay smokefree.
Related topics
Effects of second-hand smoke on children
Effects of second-hand smoke on adults
Quitting smoking
Original material provided by the Quit Group, June 2004. Edited by everybody, June 2005.
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