Quitting smoking: Helping someone quit

Understanding some basic facts about smoking can make it easier for you to understand what quitting is like. This may make it easier to help the person.

The smoker is in charge. Only the smoker can make the decision to quit and to follow through and quit successfully. It's this person's choice and challenge, not yours. You are not responsible if the person doesn't succeed.

Most smokers have to try many times before they quit for good. If the person starts to smoke again, accept it. Don't show disappointment or make the person feel guilty. Tell the person that when he or she is ready to try again, you'll be willing to help again.

Knowing why smokers relapse may help you help the person avoid a relapse. People often start to smoke again when they:

• Have symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
• Feel stressed or depressed because of problems in their lives.
• Miss the pleasure of smoking during good times in their lives, such as smoking at parties.
• Have easy access to cigarettes.
• Drink alcohol.

Test Your Knowledge

1. Most smokers don't succeed the first time they try to quit.

Continue to Why is it so hard to quit smoking?
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