How to help a person who is quitting smoking

Our support can be key for a loved one to quit this bad habit.

Quitting smoking is not an easy task. Smokers know this, especially those who, at one time or another, have tried to quit smoking, whether they succeeded or not. Smoking is a very common addiction, which leads many of those who suffer from it to try different techniques to help them quit.

But can we, the people around us, help them? Do you know someone who is quitting smoking? Or are you the one who is trying to quit? In this article we will know 10 effective techniques or strategies on how to help a person who is quitting smoking.

• Recommended article: "How to quit smoking, in 13 psychological keys".

How to help a person who is quitting smoking

We can help a person in the process of detoxing from tobacco in many ways, although it is true that only he or she will be able to achieve it, on his or her own, if he or she really has the necessary motivation and applies the right effort. Let's get to know 10 useful tips on how to help a person who is quitting smoking.

1. Positive reinforcement

One strategy that we can use on how to help a person who is quitting smoking is to react positively when that person does not smoke when he/she would like toWe can praise the person's behavior, reinforce his or her behavior, or reinforce the benefits of not smoking. We can praise his or her behavior, reinforcing it, encouraging him or her to continue on this path and valuing his or her efforts.

2. Offering support

Another technique we can use is to offer support to that person at all times, especially when he needs it. He/she should know that we are there to help him/her and to prevent him/her from relapsing, as far as possible. This can be done through actions (not smoking when he/she is in front of us, in case we are also smokers), through gestures, words, etc.

The objective is to help him/her to maintain motivation and not to feel alone. It is essential that he/she feels that we can understand him/her, and that we are aware that he/she is going through a hard time.

3. Do not smoke in front of him/her

In relation to the previous technique, we find this one already mentioned, but we are going to develop it further. A person who smokes, and who is disengaging from the addiction, will feel a great temptation when other people in front of him smoke. To avoid that temptation, we can stop smoking when it is present.

In a way, it is an act of solidarity and empathy.. This is advisable to apply in the first moments of the "disengagement"; however, it is also good that with time, that person can get used to being in environments where people smoke, and still not do it. This will strengthen their disengagement.

4. Talk to

Another way to offer support is to talk about it whenever the other person needs it.. Through conversations, we can reinforce their decision to quit smoking, making them see the importance of their decision, and the reasons why it is advisable not to smoke (although they probably already know them); this will reinforce their decision and they will also become more aware of the negative aspects of smoking.

It will also be important to listen to the other person, allowing him/her to explain his/her feelings and emotions. However, it should be noted that it is not good to be "always" talking about tobacco; we should encourage moments of disconnection from the subject.

5. Do not judge

Whether we believe it is a good choice to quit smoking or not, whether we are smokers or not, it is good not to judge the other person's decision to quit smoking, it is good that we do not judge the other person's decision to quit smoking; moreover, we should respect his or her decision whether we see the other person as being able to achieve abstinence or not.Moreover, we should respect their decision whether we see the other person as capable of achieving absolute abstinence or not.

It will be important to keep comments that imply mockery, judgment, a negative aspect or discouragement for him/her.

6. Do not lecture / scold

In line with the above, another way related to how to help a person who is quitting smoking, is to not to scold him/her as if he/she were a small child, since it is likely that this person is an adult, and that the most important reprimands will not be given to him/her as if he/she were a child.This person is probably an adult, and the reprimands, rather than helping him or her, will make him or her angry or hinder his or her disengagement.

In other words, we should not act as teachers or parents, but as friends, with respect and common sense.

7. Empathize

As we have been seeing, although it may seem an easy decision or a simple path, deciding to quit tobacco, and to start this new path, is not at all simple. Let us remember that it is an addiction, and not a simple whim. That is why we must empathize with the other person, both in good times and in times of relapse.

This implies understanding that he/she may be irritable in the "monkey moments", for example. In the end, that person must feel that understanding; if he/she also feels that we can understand him/her, he/she will feel more supported and stronger.

8. Be positive

When we surround ourselves with positive people, our mood improves.. If this person is having a really bad time and he has people around him who encourage him, who try to see the positive side of things, this can help to improve his optimism and help him feel capable of achieving success, achieving and maintaining abstinence.

That is, fortunately sometimes positivity is contagious, and it is clear that a constantly negative person will only harm the person who is quitting smoking.

9. Encourage distraction

Another strategy on how to help a person who is quitting smoking is to try to get the other person not to think so much about tobacco and the "monkey" of smoking (withdrawal syndrome), by suggesting plans and activities to do together.

The fact that they do other things and keep their mind busy will prevent them from focusing on the desire and the urge to smoke, keeping them away from the desire to smoke. and the desire to smoke, keeping these types of thoughts and feelings away. These activities can be something as simple as going for a walk, going out for a coffee, going to the movies, playing sports, etc.

10. Encourage her to do things

Finally, the last tip on how to help a person who is quitting smoking has to do with their new energy or mood; thus, it is likely that the person who is quitting smoking, if they are really succeeding, will feel more and more energetic and in a better mood.

We can take advantage of these moments to encourage her to go out, to continue with this healthy lifestyle, and to take advantage of her newfound energy and mood.and to take advantage of her new energetic state. We should approach it as a new way to enjoy that she should take advantage of.

Bibliographical references:

• Arias, A.C. (2005) How to help patients to quit smoking. Research and Education in Nursing.

• Bello, S., Flores, A., Bello, M. and Chamorro, H. (2009). Diagnosis and psychosocial treatment of smoking. Chilean journal of respiratory diseases, 25(4): 218-230.

• Simon, S. (2019). How to help a person quit smoking. American Cancer Society.