Quitting tobacco is a personal and challenging journey. Whether your loved one is just thinking about it or already taking steps, your support can make a powerful difference.
If they are not ready yet:
- Start gentle conversations. Look for natural openings.
- Ask open-ended, curious questions instead of giving advice.
- Avoid lecturing or judging. It leads to hiding smoking, not quitting.
If they are preparing to quit:
- Reflect on your relationship dynamic. Do you tend to criticize or fight about smoking? Try to increase compassion.
- Ask how you can best support them.
- Clear the places you go of smoking cues: ashtrays, lighters, etc.
- Encourage them to pursue nicotine replacement therapy along with counseling, which can improve success rates.
If they have recently quit:
- Remember that quitting is hard; the first few weeks will be the hardest.
- Be prepared to help them tackle irritability and cravings.
- Reinforce their new identity: They’re a nonsmoker now.
- Help them to keep busy and distract them from cravings.
- Remember the 5 Ds: distract, delay, deep breathe, drink water, and dose (taking a dose of a nicotine replacement).
If they have a slip:
- Lead with compassion, not criticism or judgment.
- Normalize slips. They’re part of the process.
- Encourage them to find what they can learn from it.
To learn more about quitting, email us at contactknovasolutions@workpartners.com or call 1-800-355-0885. We are available Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time.