How's the Best Way to Support a Friend Who's Trying to Stop Smoking?

I quit seven years ago and I remember thinking, "Wouldn't it be great if there was something you could hold and puff on like a cigarette, but instead it was a breath mint!?!" So I went online and found this.... http://www.ezquit.com/

It was very important to keep my routines close to the way they were. When my work buddies would go out for a smoke, I would join them and take my "falsie." When I was at home, I would still go outside from time to time and instead of sitting on the front step and smoking a cigarette, I would prune my rosebushes or rake leaves.

Primarily, it is important to remember that nothing and no one will be able to MAKE you quit if you're not ready to do it for you. Also, like any other addiction, relapse is a part of recovery. Don't get down on him when that happens. Instead celebrate that it is one more step taken to being a "former smoker."

Also, I never lie to people who want to quit smoking and ask me how I did/do it. The truth is, I enjoyed smoking. To this day, seven years later, I miss smoking. Not every day anymore, but there are times where there is just a sense that something is missing.... incomplete. Then I look at my hand and realize I am holding those two fingers just slightly apart and realize the Ghost of Cigarettes Past is inhabiting my right hand. It is important to be realistic. It is great he has a supportive friend like you to help.

Also.... I found a website that calculated the cost of my habit and would send me periodic updates on how much money I was saving by not smoking. That was a great motivator to keep me going!

Does he like the taste of spicy things? Get some wooden toothpicks and soak them in Cinnamon Oil....get the thickers one so he can chew on them as well as just suck on them. Having something in their mouth is SO essential. It is such an oral gratification thing.
Unfortunately I "quit smoking and went to eating" and have gained a lot of unwelcomed weight since I quit 20 years ago.
Maybe you could get him some sugar free cant...I especially liked lollipops so I could not only have them in my mouth but hold them in my hand too!!
Most of all...be patient...it really truly is one of the hardest things I have ever done!!!
Some of the things that I found that helped....
lots and lots of showers....#1...you can't smoke in the shower!! and #2 it helps wash the nicotine out of your system.
exercise...helps with getting the nicotine out of your system and helps with those nice little endorphins that help with your mood
patience patience patience...he is going to be grouchy at times....don't get upset with him...this too shall pass.
Tell him I said good luck...it is hard but he CAN do it!!

In my experience, people can't really help other people quit smoking. Be there if he wants to talk, I guess...but it's on him. Believe me, I know. If you have the time, hang out and get some physical exercise with him...that helps.

DO do stuff with him. Things that require use of both hands... bike riding, baseball, swimming, whatever...
Don't sit around with him idle. Try to fill the times he would typically reach for a cigarette with something else.... after dinner--take a walk, don't linger at the table.
Sugar free gum (not nicotine substitute gums, just plain old gum, like Trident) shouldn't affect his diabetes, should it? Not sure if toothpicks would help or hurt.
See if you can get him to start running as exercise...

?

And just listen when he needs to talk.

Just be positive. When he gets through a day tell him how great he did. The work is up to him. That's all you can truly do.

I am not advocating these, but my cousin uses them and has given up regular cigs. They do contain nicotine. Something to consider:

http://fakecigarettes.net/

Well, I don't know about smoking but I'm helping one of my friends by being her Accountabili-Buddy while she tries to lose weight. She checks in with me every couple of days about how she's been eating/exercising and we do a weekly weigh in. I've bought her a t-shirt she really wants in the size she wants to be as a gift for when she's finished, which she's very excited about.

I've been lucky enough to never have to worry about losing weight, so I thought I'd be pretty useless in this role, but she mostly wants someone to talk to and to help keep her accountable. The little treats (she also gets stickers, we're dorky) I came up with but they seem to be positive.

Always offer positive encouragement. Don't use food as a distraction. Bring him some celery sticks or find things to do where he won't be able to smoke. The first two weeks are the hardest, but after that it is smooth sailing. (I know from my own experience) Also, tell him if the cravings are really bad to chew one piece of the nicotine gum. It helped me the first week. When I wanted a smoke I would chew a piece, I did not follow the package instructions it helped my body get through the nicotine withdrawals.

Good luck.

As with any addiction I think the person has to do it and nobody can do much to help but be there. It's their choice whether to pick up another one or not. You can't really help much in that way. A neighbor smoked and her daughter in law showed her movies of lungs that were black, etc., etc. and it worried her but did nothing to stop the smoking. Nothing but doing it works. Just encourage and encourage and encourage......

I would keep him busy and not eat out all the time. My mother in law is trying but she's lazy about it. I'm allergic to it and never smoked. When my kids spend the night I have to wash everything. It stinks! (sorry smokers~just my opinion). She's using a vapor cig for the last 3-4 months. She needs something in her hand/fingers to keep "busy". She's doing better then I thought but I think she will give up and start smoking again. If anything the money she is saving on cartons should be motivation. Good luck to your friend. I think it's wonderful!

I remember seeing a chart (in color) in the doctor's office that showed the lungs 1 yr after quitting, 5yrs, 10 yrs, etc...

I am not a smoker. Yet, this chart made such an impression on me.

Either a similiar chart or an article that mentions the positive affects and health benefits of former smokers could be a nice gift !

how do get someone to stop smoking..simple, show them pictures of their babies, ask them do they want to watch them grow up. you could always introduce them to electronic cigarettes
K. h.

my father has been smoking for 40 years hes had pneumonia twice and now has a nebulizer he has to do everynight,, when he gets the smallest cold its scary when he coughs u wonder if hes gne be able to catch his breath.. the older u get and the longer uv been a smoker the less likely it becomes that ur lungs will recover.. he tries to quit all the time,, he says the hardest part isnt the fact that his body needs the nicotine its breaking the habits.. like always having a cigarette after you eat or while ur driving .. keep him occupied .. alot of ppl also say that wen ur trying to quit u dont know what to do with ur hands u gota keep them occupied,., maybe get him a stress ball or something.. make sure he knows that once its been a day or 2 or however many and he goes back its starting all over again and its not gna be any easier cuz hes done it before.. good luck

Maybe buy him lots of sugar free candies and gums?

http://natuhealthgroup.blogspot.com/2010/11/brown-seaweed...

this will help-it can be ordered online

I quit using an Ecig - maybe that will help him - make a game plan figure out goals and try not to deviate.