5 Easy Ways you can Help a Friend to Quit Smokinghealthable.org /5-easy-ways-can-help-friend-quit-smoking/

If you’ve ever tried to give up smoking, you likely already know how hard it can be. One of the mostaddictive habits around, a large number of people who attempt to stop will not manage it on their firsttry. A quitter’s frame of mind, current lifestyle and numerous other factors can affect their success.

Luckily, help is available in the form of motivational stop smoking treatment programmes, andprescription medication such as Champix. If you’re worried about your health and haven’t had anysuccess trying to quit on your own, then your doctor may be able to assist you, or refer you to someonewho can.

For those who don’t or never have smoked before, it can be difficult to know just how hard giving up is.But at some point, many of us will come into contact with someone who is going through the process,whether it’s a family member, or a friend at work. For a quitter, the actions and words of other peoplecan make a huge difference. Certain situations may drive some people to temptation, so if you’re inclose or regular contact with someone who is trying to quit, it’s nice to do what you can to help them.

Here are just five ways you can help to give a friend a better chance at staying quit:

Don’t Smoke Around Them

It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how much habit can cloud judgement when it comes tosmoking. If you smoke, and you’re around someone who is trying to give up, do the courteous thing,and wait until they’re gone before you light up. Or, even better, have a go at quitting yourself.

Don’t Bring Up the Subject

Everyone is different, but the majority of people who smoke will likely find it easier to avoid temptation ifthey can forget about the habit. So try to avoid bringing it up in conversation. Only talk about it whenthey raise the subject.

Be Supportive

Your support and backing makes a huge difference. If you give up on their ability to stay quit, they couldbe more likely to cave in and smoke. Always do your best to remain positive for them, and be there ifthey want to talk to someone.

Organise Activities

Quitting smoking is so much easier if you can take your mind off it. So organise activities and outingsyou can do together. They’ll give your friend something to look forward to. The best medicine might besomething physical, such as a mountain or hill climb, or a country walk. The fresh air and reducedaccess to cigarettes will likely do them wonders!

Be Understanding

Recognise that giving up can be a very trying time, and that your quitter acquaintance may be a littlemore irritable or disagreeable than usual. Whatever you do, don’t take it personally. Remember that it’snot them talking, it’s the nicotine withdrawal. Any tense feelings are likely to pass within a short time.