How to make a friend quit smoking? -
If the friend is in his/her 20-s(still young and don-t think much of the consequences of smoking).
1) we care for them.
2) we (non-smokers) don-t like our air to be polluted by 2nd hand smoke.
You can-t make a friend quit smoking. It-s their choice. But you can insist that they not smoke around you indoors, since in that case *your* health is at risk.
Hi Kranbery,
take a look at this discussion forum thread. Maybe electronic cigarettes are something for your friend.
Some say that using electronic cigarettes can help you quit smoking. Currently there is no scientific evidence for or against it. One option is to gradually lower the level of nicotine in your cartridges to become nicotine and tobacco free.
Don-t force your friend and don-t complain about 2nd hand smoke. That won-t work.
Good Luck! It-s not easy ...
The Difficulty in Kicking the Habit
Smokers may have started smoking because their friends did or because it seemed cool. But they keep on smoking because they became addicted to nicotine, one of the chemicals in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Nicotine is both a stimulant and a depressant. That means nicotine increases the heart rate at first and makes people feel more alert (like caffeine, another stimulant). Then it causes depression and fatigue. The depression and fatigue — and the drug withdrawal from nicotine — make people crave another cigarette to perk up again. According to many experts, the nicotine in tobacco is as addictive as cocaine or heroin.
But don-t be discouraged; millions of Americans have permanently quit smoking. These strategies can help you quit, too:
Put it in writing. People who want to make a change often are more successful when they put it in writing. So write down all the reasons why you want to quit smoking, such as the money you will save or the stamina you-ll gain for playing sports. Keep that list where you can see it, and add to it as you think of new reasons.
Get support. People whose friends and family help them quit are much more likely to succeed. If you don-t want to tell your parents or family that you smoke, make sure your friends know, and consider confiding in a counselor or other adult you trust. And if you-re having a hard time finding people to support you (if, say, all your friends smoke and none of them is interested in quitting), you might consider joining a support group, either in person or online.
Strategies That Work
Set a quit date. Pick a day that you-ll stop smoking. Tell your friends (and your family, if they know you smoke) that you-re going to quit smoking on that day. Just think of that day as a dividing line between the smoking you and the new and improved nonsmoker you-ll become. Mark it on your calendar.
Throw away your cigarettes — all of your cigarettes. People can-t stop smoking with cigarettes still around to tempt them. Even toss out that emergency pack you have stashed in the secret pocket of your backpack. Get rid of your ashtrays and lighters, too.
Wash all your clothes. Get rid of the smell of cigarettes as much as you can by washing all your clothes and having your coats or sweaters dry-cleaned. If you smoked in your car, clean that out, too.
Think about your triggers. You-re probably aware of the situations when you tend to smoke, such as after meals, when you-re at your best friend-s house, while drinking coffee, or as you-re driving. These situations are your triggers for smoking — it feels automatic to have a cigarette when you-re in them. Once you-ve figured out your triggers, try these tips:
* Avoid these situations. For example, if you smoke when you drive, get a ride to school, walk, or take the bus for a few weeks. If you normally smoke after meals, make it a point to do something else after you eat, like read or call a friend.
* Change the place. If you and your friends usually smoke in restaurants or get takeout and eat in the car, suggest that you sit in the no-smoking section the next time you go out to eat.
* Substitute something else for cigarettes. It can be hard to get used to not holding something and having something in your mouth. If you have this problem, stock up on carrot sticks, sugar-free gum, mints, toothpicks, or even lollipops.
Physical and Mental Effects
Expect some physical symptoms. If you smoke regularly, you-re probably physically addicted to nicotine and your body may experience some symptoms of withdrawal when you quit. These may include:
* headaches or stomachaches
* crabbiness, jumpiness, or depression
* lack of energy
* dry mouth or sore throat
* desire to pig out
Luckily, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal will pass — so be patient. Try not to give in and sneak a smoke because you-ll just have to deal with the symptoms longer.
Keep yourself busy. Many people find it-s best to quit on a Monday, when they have school or work to keep them busy. The more distracted you are, the less likely you-ll be to crave cigarettes. Staying active is also a good way to make sure you keep your weight down and your energy up, even as you-re experiencing the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Quit gradually. Some people find that gradually decreasing the number of cigarettes they smoke each day is an effective way to quit. However, this strategy doesn-t work for everyone — you may find you have to stop completely at once. This is known as -cold turkey.-
Use a nicotine replacement if you need to. If you find that none of these strategies is working, you might talk to your doctor about treatments. Using a nicotine replacement, such as gum, patches, inhalers, or nasal sprays, can be very helpful. Sprays and inhalers are available by prescription only, and it-s important to see your doctor before buying the patch and gum over the
You can help ease the transition by being there for your loved one and helping them to get through the withdrawal stages. It can affect a person’s sleep, their concentration and their overall physical health. You have to remember that a smoker has been allowing toxins and bad chemicals into their body for a long time and it’s going to take a great deal of time for the body to completely rid itself of the toxins. Try to take on some of the stress load and avoid confrontation or arguments with them in the first few weeks of them quitting.
...a picture is worth 1000 words...
...show your friend what her lung will look like in her 40s...
see:
http://www.robertsreview.com/images/canc…
and:
http://www.faqs.org/health/images/uchr_0…
and:
http://www.robertsreview.com/images/canc…
print these pics (in color) and show her...
Tell him/her to play runescape