Most people who smoke want to quit. Support from a family member or friend can make all the difference. Use these tips to start a conversation about quitting smoking.
Be positive.
You can say:
- “You’re important to me. I want you to live a long, healthy life.”
- “Your body will start to heal right away once you quit.”
- “After a few months, you’ll breathe easier and have more energy.”
- “Food and drinks will start to taste better!”
- “Think about how much money you’ll save.”
Share steps for quitting.
For example, you can say:
- “Write down your reasons for quitting. Keep the list where you’ll see it often.”
- “Set a date to quit. Give yourself up to 2 weeks to make a quit plan.”
- “Talk to your doctor about counseling, medicines, and other resources that can help you quit.”
- “Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free support and coaching to help you quit.”
- “Throw away your cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays — at home, in the car, and at work.”
- “Visit Smokefree.gov for more quit tips and tools.”
Offer support.
You can say:
- “I’m so proud of you for trying to quit. How can I help you?”
- “Quitting is tough. If you slip up, I can help you get back on track.”
- “Let’s do something relaxing, like go for a walk or watch a movie.”
- “Let’s plan how to celebrate after you’ve been smoke-free for a week and a month.”
- “If you find yourself reaching for a cigarette, you can call me instead.”