How to help someone who wants to quit smoking

It’s the news you’ve been waiting for – your loved one wants to quit smoking! It’s an exciting time for all of you; no more cigarettes or ashtrays, no more stale smoke odours in the house or waiting inside a restaurant for your loved one while they have a cigarette outside. Deciding to quit smoking is a wonderful thing, not just for your loved one and their health, but for you and the rest of your family.

However, at this crucial stage, it’s important not to get carried away. Most smokers who are trying to quit fail in the first few weeks. That doesn’t mean that they won’t try again, it just means that when they do they need as much support and guidance as possible from doctors, friends and of course, you. 

Here we’ll explore how you can help someone who wants to quit smoking.

Explore other alternatives

Vaping is hugely popular right now and many smokers turn to vape as a way to get their nicotine hit, without the health risks associated with cigarettes. 88vape.com has a wide range of vape liquids, starter kits, mods, collections and other vaping products to get your loved one started. If you want to have the finest vaping experience, you must choose the right vape juice flavors for your vape tank

Those who are looking to quit smoking and nicotine for good can choose how much nicotine they want in their liquids (if any at all), and then over time slowly decrease their consumption. For instance, the best 6mg vape juices from Velvet Cloud, or other reputable shops, can offer a satisfying option for those easing off nicotine while still enjoying flavorful hits. Ultimately, finding the right balance between flavor and nicotine strength can make the transition smoother and more enjoyable. It’s a simple yet highly effective tool that can help your loved one quit, for good.

Understand the withdrawal symptoms

Reducing nicotine and the action of physically smoking something isn’t easy to do. And your loved one will likely experience strong withdrawal from the drug. Understanding these symptoms will not only help you cope better but also let your partner know that you have their back and you’re supporting them every step of the way. Some symptoms include:

• Weight gain
• Irritability 
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping

They might be grumpy and restless, but as long as you understand and show your support, rather than losing your patience or taking it personally, your loved one has a greater chance of quitting.

Help keep them distracted

In those moments when your loved one would normally reach for a cigarette; they’re really going to struggle with withdrawal. This is when you can step up and help keep them distracted. Go for a walk with them after a meal or ask them to help with the dishes, watch TV, play with the dog, have a shower etc. Try to find ways to help keep them busy and they’ll be a step closer to their quitting goal.

Try to see it from their point of view

As a non-smoker, the idea of someone being addicted to a little stick that they light up and then being unable to go without it is difficult to comprehend. Therefore you must understand and respect that smoking is an addiction and is one that’s difficult to let go of. 

Final thoughts…

Don’t forget to encourage your loved one, throughout their journey. And if they don’t manage it this time, don’t blame them or get angry. Just be there for them the next time they try.