How to Help Someone Quit Smoking

Do’s and Don’ts¹

• Do make your home smoke-free. Only allow people to smoke outside. With rules, smoking will take more effort, so the smokers in your life may think about quitting.
• Do spend time together. Take a walk or watch a movie. This can help keep their mind off smoking.
• Do praise them. When they have quit for one week, one month, or more, plan something fun.
• Do stay positive, even if they slip or relapse. Smoking is a hard habit to break.
• Don’t nag, judge, or say things like, “You better quit or else!” Has nagging ever made you want to do anything? Instead, tell them you are here if they need help.
• Don’t think their mood swings are about you. Withdrawal symptoms are common and will go away.
• Don’t doubt that they can quit. Believe in them. This can make them want to become a nonsmoker.
• Don’t give advice unless they ask for it. Instead, ask them how you can help.
• Don’t give up. It may take many times before they quit for good.

Key Points

• Relapse is common. For most people, it takes several tries.
• The first two weeks are often the hardest.
• The 3 most common reasons for relapse are:
  • Stress
  • Being around smokers
  • Alcohol

Call to Get FREE help to quit smoking today! English: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Within Three Days…

Within 20 minutes:²

• Heart rate and blood pressure drop
• Temperature of hands and feet goes up

Within 8-24 hours:³

• Carbon monoxide level in blood goes down
• Oxygen level in blood rises to normal
• Chance of heart attack goes down

Within 48-72 hours:⁴

• Damaged nerve endings start to re-grow
• Sense of smell and taste begin to improve
• Nicotine is out of the body in about 3 days

Within a Year…

2 weeks to 3 months:

• Blood flows better in the body
• Exercise is easier
• Lungs work better
• Wounds heal faster

1 to 9 months:

• Coughing and shortness of breath get better
• Sinus issues all go down
• Body has more energy
• Tiny hairs in the lungs (cilia) start to work again.
  • This helps the lungs stay clean and make it easier to breathe.
  • The risk of getting sick also goes down.

For the Rest of Your Life…

1 year:

• Risk of heart disease is cut by half

2-5 years:

• Risk of stroke goes down to that of a non-smoker

5 years:

• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder are cut in half
• Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a non-smoker

10 years:

• Lung cancer risk is cut in half
• Risk of voice box (larynx) and pancreatic cancer goes down

15 years:

• Risk of heart disease returns to that of non-smoker