Tips For Friends and Family of Smokers
Advice Here is some helpful advice for helping your friend quit smoking. Don't Nag It is not helpful to nag a smoker. Making the decision to quit smoking is probably one of the hardest things your friend will ever have to make. Even talking about quitting smoking makes most smokers want to smoke. Never do anything with their cigarettes; Don't steal them or throw them away or destroy them. There is no easier way to make a smoker mad, and mad smokers dig in their heels. Slip 'em a "Reason Pack" Be subtle and don't make a big deal out of it. Leave it where they can find it. You could slip it into their carton or a shirt pocket or purse. Play poker with a smoker; let 'em keep the deck It's just another way to get a Reason Pack into their hands. Once they have accepted the Reason Pack, it is best to leave it to them from that point. You could point out that there are quit smoking tips on the website, but other than that it is best to let them take the next step. Be supportive when they are quitting If they make the decision to quit, be supportive and cut them some slack. This is especially true for the first few days and weeks. If they start to take advantage of the situation and make threats about smoking, it is ok to very calmly with no emotion point out that it is not really acceptable behavior. Very calmly explain that you are supporting them and that you expect them to succeed, and you really hope they won't decide to smoke just to make a point.	Don't let an argument escalate. It is important to keep things toned down. Anger is the quickest way for smokers to justify a slip. They will frequently manufacture situations just as an excuse. Remember that it is not personal, their bodies are screaming for nicotine and they will do things they wouldn't normally do just to get it. If you can remain calm and not take it personally, you will be really helping. That means talking in a calm soothing voice even if they are yelling. See the last tip if they start taking advantage of the situation. You could also hand them their Reason Pack (and give them a hug). Encourage them to get an accountability partner. If you are a friend or loved one (especially a spouse), this is probably not you. You may be too close and too emotionally involved. It is better if they have someone that they can talk to without any emotion involved. A friend that they respect is better, especially if the friend has successfully quit smoking in the past. Encourage them to attend support group meetings Support is key, so whatever you can to to help them attend meetings is going to be helpful. You could help them find a meeting schedule, but the main thing is to not try to compete with them. Don't schedule anything during the time of the meeting, that sort of thing.

Tips For Friends and Family of Smokers

Advice
Here is some helpful advice for helping your friend quit smoking.

Don't Nag
It is not helpful to nag a smoker. Making the decision to quit smoking is probably one of the hardest things your friend will ever have to make. Even talking about quitting smoking makes most smokers want to smoke.

Never do anything with their cigarettes;
Don't steal them or throw them away or destroy them. There is no easier way to make a smoker mad, and mad smokers dig in their heels.

Slip 'em a "Reason Pack"
Be subtle and don't make a big deal out of it. Leave it where they can find it. You could slip it into their carton or a shirt pocket or purse.

Play poker with a smoker; let 'em keep the deck
It's just another way to get a Reason Pack into their hands. Once they have accepted the Reason Pack, it is best to leave it to them from that point. You could point out that there are quit smoking tips on the website, but other than that it is best to let them take the next step.

Be supportive when they are quitting
If they make the decision to quit, be supportive and cut them some slack. This is especially true for the first few days and weeks.

If they start to take advantage of the situation and make threats about smoking, it is ok to very calmly with no emotion point out that it is not really acceptable behavior. Very calmly explain that you are supporting them and that you expect them to succeed, and you really hope they won't decide to smoke just to make a point.

Don't let an argument escalate.
It is important to keep things toned down. Anger is the quickest way for smokers to justify a slip. They will frequently manufacture situations just as an excuse.

Remember that it is not personal, their bodies are screaming for nicotine and they will do things they wouldn't normally do just to get it. If you can remain calm and not take it personally, you will be really helping. That means talking in a calm soothing voice even if they are yelling.

See the last tip if they start taking advantage of the situation. You could also hand them their Reason Pack (and give them a hug).

Encourage them to get an accountability partner.
If you are a friend or loved one (especially a spouse), this is probably not you. You may be too close and too emotionally involved. It is better if they have someone that they can talk to without any emotion involved. A friend that they respect is better, especially if the friend has successfully quit smoking in the past.

Encourage them to attend support group meetings
Support is key, so whatever you can to to help them attend meetings is going to be helpful. You could help them find a meeting schedule, but the main thing is to not try to compete with them. Don't schedule anything during the time of the meeting, that sort of thing.