What's the useful advice to say to a friend to STOP smoking?

Answer 1

Ask them to go to a cancer hospice or pallative care centre and see some results of what smoking can cause. Believe me it is not a pretty sight.

Answer 2

For most smokers there is nothing you can say or do that will get that person to quit smoking. I know, I used to smoke.

I had many people tell me how bad it made me smell, how bad it was for my health, how it was going to kill me, I've seen all the smoker's lung pictures and everything else that people use as ammunition to try to get smokers to quit the habit.

Nothing will do it except for the smoker themselves wanting to quit. I smoked for more than 16 years. I loved everyone of the cigarettes, cigars and pipes that I smoked during that time.

I met a woman that I fell in love with, she was allergic to cigarette smoke, that gave me the reason I needed to give up my 3 packs a day habit.

I quit cold turkey and this was before all the patches and things they have now to help you. The only thing that really works is the desire to do so. There has to be a very good reason to do so. I could have been an inconsiderate slob and my girlfriend's allergy wouldn't have made any difference.

I eventually married her and in time, unfortunately, divorced her. The one good thing she did for me in my life was give me a reason to quit smoking. That was 30 years ago and I haven't had one in that length of time. For that, I still love her.

Good luck.

Answer 3

All the suggestions about showing the person morbidity caused by smoking will not help.
My father died of cancer of the larynx. We all loved him dearly. When he was languishing in intensive care and we could only see him for 15 minutes at the top of every hour, four out of his six children spent our time crying and SMOKING in the waiting room. (This was before smoking was banned in hospitals. Back when patients on oxygen could actually ask the nurse to turn it off so they could smoke in their rooms!)
There were no warning labels when I started smoking. Studies indicate that smoking parents will likely produce smoking children no matter how much they tell them not to smoke (dad asked us not to.)
All this just illustrates that cigarettes are highly (unfairly) addictive. Support your friend in any effort to quit. Encourage him/her to get back on the wagon if s/he falls off. That's all you can do.
People who smoke know it is bad. They're addicted. I've heard it is harder to quit than heroin. It would be a great idea to make the tobacco companies pay for as many quitting treatments as a person needed to kick the habit. Especially those who started smoking before the warning labels. Everybody exploits smokers. $7.00+ a pack in my city ($4.00 of which is city and county sin tax) has not curbed my urge one bit. I just find the money.
My best wishes go out to you and your friend. I am trying to quit too.

Answer 4

I used to smoke very heavily (almost 2 packs a day) no one could tell me to not smoke. I just got tired of it and quit. This was 14 years ago. I think it is important to let your friend know that when they get ready to quit, they will have your support. But know that smoking is a very strong addiction and extremely difficult to stop.

Answer 5

Nothing. I have a friend whose father is dying of COPD and she still smokes. I just read a book about oxygen and deep breathing, and I'm going to give it to her to read, maybe it'll get through to her. A lot of interesting answers here, but as we work in a facility for long term patients, she already knows all this stuff

Answer 6

I wish you didn't smoke. I care to much about you to watch you kill yourself like that (dont worry I am an x smoker) I feel like if people want to smoke they can its there life but think of the money this person and all would save, more money for Bud lite lol

Answer 7

You look old, smell like an ashtray, your clothes stink, your fingers are turning yellow as are your teeth, your house stinks, your car stinks and your second hand smoke is killing me too. I love you dear friend and that's why I'm not sugar coating this. Smoking will kill you sooner than later and I'd like you to be around for the later.

Answer 8

There is nothing you can do or say to STOP your friend from smoking. Your friend can only stop smoking if he/she determine to do so. You cannot change his/her mindset.

Answer 9

Don't say anything, it's none of your business!
How would you like it if that person was trying to get you to smoke? If you don't like it, find a non-smoking friend.

Answer 10

i don't think there is anything you really can say..
a person is only going to stop smoking when they really want too..

and they have to 100% want to stop smoking otherwise it isn't going to happen