Stop Smoking Help Blog

Werner Michael answers:

Well, it’s like this… If he’s actually ready to quit, then he will, but there’s really nothing that you can do personally to help him along the way, other than by trying to be supportive. I heard of a site (noted in the source below) that might have something that will help him along the way to being “Smoke Free” though. Have him take a look. You never know.
Hope this helps and good luck to both of you.
Ed

Werner Michael answers:

Well, I recommend for her to try the Gradual Reduction method…that should prevent her from having any bad withdrawal symptoms like if she were to just go ‘cold turkey’. There are a few ways to assist in quitting via gradual reduction of nicotine levels, and actually stop her from inhaling the nearly 4000 other harmful chemicals included in cigarettes; one of the newest is the electronic cigarette, which only uses water and nicotine, so she wouldn’t be completely destroying her lungs while she’s at it, but she would still get her nicotine fix for the time being. Over time she would need to lower the dose of nicotine to wean her off of it completely; there’s a lot more information about that particular method at http://smokefreeme.info/methods/gradualreduction.html . Best of luck, I know it’s hard!!

Werner Michael answers:

Hello Robb,

My wife smoked for over 10 years and when she found out that she was pregnant with our now newborn 3 months old daughter, she had promised me that if I found a good solution for quitting, she will try her best to kick the habit.

Well in my spare time I started researching online for quit smoking programs, meanwhile she was trying out patches and gums that you can buy at grocery stores and adventually they would not work for her.

After about a week of researching I had stumbled over a website that really impressed me on what they had to offer and that they actually say that they can almost guarantee your success, and most importantly that you can try it out for free.

The company has been around for over 20 years now and they have helped over a million smokers quit since and their kit has everything that you possibly need to help you quit smoking, I thought WoW that is impressive.

I went ahead and ordered the free trial for my wife (only paid for shipping) and she has quit smoking in just two weeks and she doesn’t want to hear about or smell another cigarette again in her life

Now it is up to you, but since my wife has quit, I was so happy about her success, so much so that I had built a small review site of the product to also help other people quit, you can check it out at; http://endthehabitnow.com if you want to find out more.

P.S. Also available for Canada.

Thanks for reading my short story, I hope it helps, good luck and stay healthy.

Werner Michael answers:

Think about the fact that the placenta is chilled around your baby for 3 minutes when you smoke and you are cutting off oxygen to the brain.

Werner Michael answers:

Read the last 3 words of your question….that’s how you do it. I smoked for almost 20 yrs starting when I was 11. I got sick of the control it had on my life. I didn’t realize how badly I stunk until I quit and could smell other smokers.
Ask a nonsmoker how far away they can smell someone smoking, and I bet some will honestly say a block away.
When I first quit, it was nothing for almost 2 weeks. I was strong and no cigarette controlled me. Then I went through 3 days of craving, very irritable, and nerves just going crazy BUT I knew what it was from. After 3 days, everything settled down.
I can still drive, eat (and food tastes sooo good now), wake up, go to sleep, everything and without a cigarette.
And remember that nonsmokers don’t reward themselves with a cigarette so you don’t either.
It’s simple. You stink. It controls you. It’s just a few days- get over it.

It really is better. I quit over 2 or 3 years ago- no need to keep up. =)

…oh real quick..I knew someone that was hypnotized and she’s 4+ yrs a nonsmoker. I was going to try that if I didn’t’ quit.

Werner Michael answers:

Please don’t listen to the dumbass above me. Sexual acts shouldn’t be a “reward” it should be something you both want to do because you love each other, not some reward for not smoking. He’ll just smoke behind your back if you do that anyways. Also, giving him a guilt trip over “choosing you over cigerettes” will just make him feel like sh!t and make you a total control freaknot help. I think it’s really sweet you want to help your boyfriend quit smoking so I included this, I hope it helps you and good luck. The first site has stuff I didn’t post on the answer fyi.

Http://www.wediditstory.com/

It can be hard to stand by and watch people you care about smoke, knowing the effect it’s having on them and those around them.

One message echoed by all of the sites in this section is that nagging someone to quit doesn’t work. You can, however, ban people from smoking in your home or car. It won’t stop them from smoking in other places, but it’s a start.
Smokers already know that smoking isn’t good for them. These sites suggest that you focus your arguments on how your loved ones’ quitting would affect you, not them.
Dulcinea’s Picks
The American Cancer Society has dos and don’ts for relatives and friends who are trying to help someone stop smoking. Suggestions include spending time with a person to help take his mind off quitting, and advice for dealing with slips and relapses. This site even gives advice if you’re a smoker supporting someone who is trying to quit.

You can gently encourage someone who smokes to quit. Think of your comments about smoking as only one event that moves that person toward quitting.

Start any discussion of quitting in a gentle way.
Let the person know why you want him or her to quit. Give the person reasons that are as important to him or her as they are to you. (Try “I want you to be with us for a long time” rather than “I’m tired of cleaning your dirty ashtrays.”)
One good way to begin is to mention a new treatment option you have heard or read about.
Make it short (less than 5 minutes).
Ask whether there is a way that you can help him or her quit.
Repeat your attempt every 6 to 12 months.
Helping someone who is quitting
Family and friends are a valuable source of support and motivation for a person who is trying to quit smoking. People who have already quit are an even greater source of comfort and can offer tips for success.

If a person who smokes asks for your support while trying to quit, you can:

Help distract him or her. Join in the activities he or she does to decrease the craving to smoke, such as lunchtime walks or hobbies.
Ignore grouchy moods. Try your best to tolerate any bad moods. They won’t last forever.
Provide a reward when he or she meets a goal or milestone without using tobacco.
Ask the person what he or she needs from you.
If you smoke, don’t smoke around the person who is trying to quit. Don’t offer a cigarette, even as a joke. Don’t leave your cigarettes where they will tempt the person to take one.
If you have quit smoking, talk often to the person about positive changes in your health and sense of well-being. Talk about the times when you found it most difficult not to smoke and what you did to get through those situations.
Helping someone who relapses
Most people try to quit smoking many times before they are successful. Don’t give up your efforts. If the person you care about fails to quit, you can:

Praise him or her for trying to quit, and for whatever length of time (days, weeks, or months) of not smoking.
Encourage him or her to try again. Don’t say “If you try again.” Say “When you try again.” Studies show that most people who don’t succeed in quitting will try again in the near future.
Encourage him or her to learn from the attempt. Things a person learns from a failed attempt to quit may help him or her be successful in a future attempt.
Suggest that he or she consider more intensive treatment when ready to try again.