Helping Someone Quit
Offering Non-Judgmental
Support Works Best
Your Support Matters— Learn How to Help
Quitting smoking or vaping is difficult, physically and mentally. Be supportive, in a non-judgmental way. Learn why the person you care about smokes or vapes. Help them make a plan to prepare for cravings and temptations. Your support will go a long way to helping them quit.
How to be a Great Support
Learn what you can do to help and what isn’t helpful.
Remember, you can’t quit for the person you care about but being there for them is powerful.
Understanding the Addiction
This substance is the reason tobacco products are so addictive. Learning about nicotine’s effects and why it makes quitting a challenge will help you understand what the person you care about is going through.
The intensity of nicotine addiction means that cravings can start less than an hour after smoking or vaping. Knowing the signs of nicotine withdrawal will help you find ways for them to cope.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy, like nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges, provides a controlled way to receive clean nicotine without the harms of tobacco. It’s an effective tool to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and improve your chances of quitting.
Using the nicotine patch with the gum or lozenge is most effective for many people who smoke or vape. The NYS Quitline, a doctor, or pharmacist can provide combination therapy.
Understanding the Process of Quitting
Quitting smoking or vaping is a journey, it takes time and effort. Overcoming challenges like stress, boredom, physical cravings, and social situations are a part of the process.
There are five-stages of quitting, and your role can be impactful to help the person you care about get through the phases of breaking their addiction.
The Five Stages
When someone is not actively considering quitting, it’s important to offer unwavering support regardless of their current tobacco use. Past quit attempts can hurt confidence. Show understanding and acceptance. This reinforces that you are there for them no matter what.
If they are thinking of quitting, provide relevant resources, like the NYS Quitline, and build their confidence. Remember, knowing the right time to quit is their decision. It works best if you can be a source of support without applying too much pressure!
As they prepare to quit, consider joining them with a commitment of your own. Letting go of a habit of your own can be a powerful way to show solidarity and understanding of the challenges they face.
Throughout their process of quitting, applauding their commitment and efforts will help keep them going. Recognize and celebrate every step. Tell them you know that it takes strength and courage to overcome addiction, and you are proud of them.
Once they feel they have quit, it’s time to celebrate their accomplishment. Praise their hard work and resilience. Acknowledging their achievement will reinforce their success and encourage them to maintain their tobacco-free life.
How You Can Help
Match your support to their specific needs. Remember to be sensitive, understanding, and non-judgmental.
- Regularly check in with them, make sure your support is helpful and not adding to their stress.
- Offer to do favors, errands, childcare – anything that might help reduce their stress.
- When strong urges become overwhelming, sometimes just a word or two from someone who cares can help.
Financial Impact
Save big when you quit—up to $4,000 a year!*
Current Costs:
You’ll Save:
In 6 Months
21674In 5 Years
In 1 Year
46858In 10 years
*Average annual savings for people who smoke ≈$4,000, ≈$1,000 for people who vape. Average savings for people who smoke is based on cigarette pack costs statewide.
Print Resources
Brochures, handouts, cards, and more
Quitting Takes Patience
Helping Someone Cope with Triggers
To quit, it’s important to manage triggers and urges. Triggers can be habit-related or emotional, often linked to daily routines or specific feelings. Identifying these triggers and finding ways to address them is crucial.
What are triggers?
Triggers are things that make you want to smoke or vape, like daily activities, situations, or feelings. Tracking what triggered a craving can be helpful for planning ahead.
Help Plan Ahead
Planning ahead for tempting situations is an important step in the quitting process. Encourage your friend or family member to think of situations that triggered their urge to smoke or vape and make a plan to handle those triggers next time!
FAQ
Yes, if your family member or friend is nearby to provide consent for you to speak or complete the form online on their behalf. This is important to be sure we’re reaching someone who wants the service and because they may qualify for additional free medications and a follow-up is required to qualify.
Read MoreE-cigarettes contain fewer toxic chemicals than regular cigarettes – which have over 7,000 chemicals in their smoke – but vaping is still not safe. E-cigarette vapor or aerosol can contain heavy metals like lead, tin, and nickel. E-cigarettes also contain carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals).
Read MoreMenthol cigarettes’ taste and smell can hide early warnings and symptoms of respiratory problems from smoking.1 Because menthol masks the bitter harshness of cigarette smoke, people who smoke menthol cigarettes often smoke more and inhale more deeply, which means higher amounts of toxic chemicals and tar over time.
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