Support from family and friends can be a big help when someone is trying to quit smoking! Here are some ideas about how to be an effective support person for the people you care about.

Let Them Know You Support Their Decision

Tobacco causes users to become addicted to nicotine. This makes quitting difficult and complicated. Let your loved one know you support their decision to quit and you want to be there for them while they do it.

Do Something Fun to Help Them Manage Cravings

When people quit using tobacco, they experience cravings for tobacco products. Offer to spend time together doing something fun and tobacco-free. Activities like going for a walk, going to a movie, playing video games, going out to eat, or watching a basketball game together can help them work through cravings.

Help Them Keep Tobacco Off Their Mind

If you use tobacco, don’t use your products around someone trying to quit. Put away your tobacco products, ash trays, and lighters before you see them. Change your clothes and use mouthwash to minimize the smell of tobacco.

Check In and Offer Support

Take a moment to check in with your friend or family member and ask them how it’s going. Let them know you’re proud of them for quitting and continue to do so in the days, weeks, and months after they’ve quit.

Celebrate Successes Together

Quitting tobacco is a huge accomplishment. Consider congratulating your loved one with a card, gift, or home-cooked meal to celebrate important milestones like 1 week, month, or year of tobacco-free life.

Be aware that quitting tobacco isn’t easy. It often takes people several tries to quit successfully, and they need your support throughout the process. Here are some things to avoid while someone is trying to quit tobacco.

Being Pushy or Preachy Is Unlikely to Help Someone Quit

Pressuring someone who is not ready to quit tobacco is not the same thing as being supportive. Starting a conversation about the health effects of tobacco use is fine but be respectful if your friend or family member isn’t ready to quit yet.

Don’t Take Strong Feelings or Short Tempers Personally

These reactions can be a normal part of trying to quit tobacco and usually pass in the first couple of weeks.

Avoid Dwelling on Negatives

If your friend or family member slips and uses tobacco at some point, encourage them to keep trying to quit. Getting frustrated or angry with them will not help.