You cannot make someone quit smoking.
But if you’re worried about someone who smokes, you can:
- listen to them
- offer them support to quit
Most people who smoke want to quit. But it can take a while for some people to feel ready. They may worry that they cannot do it. But anyone can quit with the right support and information.
Check if they are ready to quit
Pick a time when you are both calm to ask them how they feel about quitting.
You could:
- let them know that you care and they can talk to you
- ask them what they like and dislike about smoking
- ask them if they are worried about quitting
- remind them of their strengths and how they used them in a difficult situation before
- encourage them to get help to quit
- prepare a list of support options
You do not need to talk about the health risks of smoking. Most adults who smoke already worry about their health. But you could ask them to think about their own reasons for quitting.
They may appreciate your support. But if they do not want to stop smoking, leave it for a while. Tell them you’ll support them when they decide to try.
If your child smokes
Young people may try cigarettes but most do not start smoking regularly. If they do start smoking regularly, it can happen between age 17 and 19.
If you're worried about a young person who smokes, you can support them in the same way as an adult.
They may not have thought about quitting.
It may help to ask them:
- what they know about the effects of smoking - for example, the link between smoking and mental health
- what benefits they could get from quitting
- if they use smoking to cope with stress or to feel part of a group
- if they have a friend who wants to quit too
Most stop smoking services can help young people as well as adults. But if the person is under age 16, they need permission from a parent or guardian.
Getting ready to stop smoking
When the person decides they want to quit, encourage them to plan how they are going to quit.
You could help them to:
- create a quit plan
- start a smoking diary - to understand their smoking pattern and plan changes to avoid smoking
- learn ways to cope with cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- consider nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- talk to their GP about prescription treatments to stop smoking
- get as much help as possible from friends, family and colleagues
- contact the quit team to ask about free services or support groups in their area
- find healthy ways to cope with stress
Remind them that you are there to support them and each day without smoking is better for their health.
After they quit smoking
Keep giving your help and support after the person quits smoking. This increases their chances of success.
To continue to support them, you can:
- tell them to take it one day at a time
- help them find ways to reward themselves throughout the quitting process
- encourage them to stay active - physical activity helps with withdrawal symptoms and mood changes
- remind them to get plenty of sleep and eat well
- arrange social activities in places where they cannot smoke
- give them lots of praise and encouragement
- be patient and understand that they will have the occasional bad mood
- remind them about the benefits of giving up
- suggest they save the money they would have spent on smoking