What are effective strategies to help a friend stop smoking?

Question

I have a friend who knows smoking is bad but he doesn't have the will power to stop. How can I help him without making him go crazy.

Answer 1

my mom took my friends to her work at the nursing home and showed them people their age with tubes in their throats because of it affecting their breathing, another the result of an auto accident while smoking.
she then would give them something the could munch or drink ever time the habit kicked in.
for others second hand worked till they were weaned off.
good luck.

Answer 2

I wouldn't stop all at once. I mean, drinking and smoking marijuana (if it was legal, which it may be where you live!) can be perfectly fine, every now and again, and in moderation. Unless you feel like you have a serious addictive personality, which it doesn't sound like you have, quitting cold turkey is not really necessary, and probably will make it more likely to start drinking and smoking more again later. I also wouldn't cut both down at the same time. There's only so much chemical change and withdrawal your body can realistically take before it smacks you back with serious compulsions. I'd say pick one or the other (the one you feel more dependent on) to cut your consumption in half with, and then, maybe when you feel comfortable with that, cut your consumption of the other in half. Then, you can decide if you want to keep cutting your consumption in half, or if you've reached a comfortable usage level. And once you feel comfortable with how much you're using each, you can set rules on how much you'll allow yourself, and self-penalties if you go over that limit on any given week. I think, unless you have a serious addiction problem, moderation and reasonable decreases is the key. Good luck. It sounds like you're making some good choices for your health and possibly the quality of your life. Kudos!

Answer 3

Natural Quit Smoking Magic

Answer 4

Well there is really no answer that will help him stop smoking he has to want to stop that is the only way he will be able to stop. I have smoked for years but now i have a hard time breathing so i feel i have to stop and i want to so i put the smokes down and have only had a few a day but i am on my way.

Answer 5

If the Body World exhibit is near you, take him. Among other things, it shows lungs that have been blackened by cigarette smoke. Body World also has a video and dvd that are excellent; it shows many, many things of interest, and isn't just focused on smokers. You might also check with the American Cancer Society and see what their website has to offer on it, and suggestions to help your friend. Good for you for wanting to help without badgering him. Something has to make him want to stop. I know more people who stopped "cold turkey" than eased off it.

Nursing student

Answer 6

chewing on nicorate gums!

But a more effective way is quiting through the support of friends and family members'. He must be committed to quiting the habit first. If the process is too tedious a journey for one person, they can give great encouragements by being with him and going through the treatments with him.

Further more, he must see the end benefit of quitting smoking . this will keep him targeted on an end goal and let him press forward to something he can look up for.

Answer 7

Does he want to stop in the first place? If it's will power, nothing you do will help unless you stay with him and can look out for him 24/7. Nicotine patches, gum etc are helpful but again, if it's a will power issue, how do you ensure he sticks to those?

Answer 8

I quit cold turkey after smoking for over 15 years because I got so disgusted of the control it had over me. The beginning wasn't so bad. The worst was a week or two later for 3 days. Now, I'm a much happier nonsmoker for 3+ years.

Answer 9

There's a whole section on this website on how to help someone stop smoking - from the very first comments they make, or don't make on quitting. There's 16 of the best ideas around on dealing and helping your friend once they go for it.
http://www.quitguide.com/help-someone-quit-smoking.html

Answer 10

It's willpower basically but try these;

Don't go to places where he can smoke., Coffee Bean, pubs/clubs, etc

Try getting all the used cigarette butts and ashes into a jar, mix with a little water and let him smell it every morning and at night.