With your help, this could be the year your family member makes a change in their tobacco use for good.
Tobacco use is an addiction, and like any addiction, it can be incredibly challenging to quit, even with a powerful reason like a cancer diagnosis. If anyone in your life currently uses tobacco and is considering quitting, your support may be critical. Here are some helpful tips you can use to help them quit.
Be a Compassionate Cheerleader!
Expressing an interest in quitting is a huge first step. If your loved one shares that they would like to quit:
- Respond positively, but don’t lecture!
- Encourage them to focus on the benefits of quitting – improving their health, saving money, etc.
- Be present and provide support/listen whenever they need you.
- Help them identify their why’s – why they want to quit and their what’s (what triggers them, what made them decide to quit and what you can do to help them)
- Remind them that things will get easier, urges to smoke become less frequent and less intense the longer the person stays quit.
- Encourage them to stick with their plan and continue to participate in their treatment. For example, if they are using medications such as the NRT patch or lozenge to help lower cravings and withdrawal symptoms, using the medications regularly will make it easier to manage the urge to smoke.
There’s a thin line between providing encouragement and pressuring. Remember, slips happen! In fact, learning from “failures” helps many people succeed. If your loved one experiences setbacks, avoid:
- Placing blame or saying things that suggest they’re a failure
- Constantly questioning their motivation, nagging, criticizing or lecturing
- Making disparaging remarks if you see them using tobacco
- Joking about them going back to smoking
Ask How You Can be Supportive
People who get support from their family and friends have a much easier time stopping smoking or remaining tobacco free. Only your loved ones know what kind of support they will need – speak with them to learn how you can help. For example, ask them about:
- what activities would help them keep their mind off smoking
- what triggers they would like help staying away from
- how and when they would like you to check in
- what topics are off limits
Celebrate Accomplishments
Celebrating milestones is important and helpful. Focus on all wins, even the small one’s count!
- Offer compliments on how much they’ve achieved
- Offer compliments about how much healthier they look
- Give small gifts – cards, flowers, a meaningful token
Provide Distractions
Many studies show that intense cravings last a very short time – just a few minutes and some cravings pass in seconds. This brief time can feel much longer to someone who is trying to quit. You can lend your support by helping your loved one think of ways to distract themselves when they feel the urge to smoke.
- Plan smoke-free activities – going to the movies, dining out, going for a bike ride
- Make them a quit kit – include items that help reduce cravings, like chewing gum, cinnamon sticks, straws, flavored toothpicks, a stress ball or water
- Encourage them to do something to distract themselves when they feel a craving – even a quick phone call or text can help them get through a craving
If You Currently Smoke, Consider Quitting
Navigating the quitting journey can be easier if you are doing so with a partner. You may find that you can give each other the best support, since you understand what the other is going through, and the temptations to smoke are reduced all around. Even if you’re not ready, there are many ways to support your loved one on their quitting journey:
- Avoid using tobacco around them. Smoking is a social activity – patients who are trying to quit will likely find it difficult to abstain if they are around someone who is smoking
- Maintain a smokefree house and/or car, especially if you are living together
- Don’t buy cigarettes or supply cigarettes if you are together
- Keep items used for smoking – ashtrays, lighters, cigarettes – out of sight
Resources to Help You Quit
There are many free resources available. The New York State Quitline provides free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy.
- The New York State Quitline: Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to enroll
- Smokefree.gov provides great free resources to help you quit
- QuitBot: A free AI-Powered Coaching App for Stopping Smoking
If you or your loved one are a patient at MSK, the MSK Tobacco Treatment Program can help you achieve your cessation goals.
Contact us at 212-610-0507