Helping others quit - Feel Good Suffolk

Helping others quit smoking

Helping someone quit smoking starts with being supportive. Ask how you can help, encourage them to plan for cravings and suggest support like Feel Good Suffolk Stop Smoking services or NHS Better Health.

Check in regularly and celebrate small wins – staying positive can make a big difference.

Photo of two young women laughing together outdoors in the sunshine. Both wear sunglasses. Image provided by BABI at Unsplash

If someone you care about is trying to stop smoking, the most important thing you can do is offer understanding and encouragement.

A calm conversation

Start by talking to them in a calm way. Ask how they feel about stopping smoking and what they would find hard. Feeling supported – not pressured – helps people stay motivated.

Finding support

You’re more likely to quit smoking with support. Feel Good Suffolk is a great place to start to explore what help is available to stop smoking. You could also suggest NHS Better Health Stop Smoking Service or the NHS Stop Smoking ap.

Dealing with cravings

Cravings to smoke again can feel strong, but they do pass. Most cravings last a few minutes. A short walk, a drink of water or a quick chat can help. You can find out a bit more about cravings on our Cravings and Triggers page.

If they slip up and smoke when they are trying to stop, stay positive. This does not mean they have failed – it’s common and does not undo all thier hard work.

Encourge them to keep going.

More support

NHS Better Health – Helping someone to stop smoking has a range of information to to get you started in helping someone to stop smoking from quit plans to creating smoke free spaces.

Take care of yourself too

Helping someone quit can be hard, so take care of yourself, too. Talk to someone you trust and make time to relax.

Check out Every Mind Matters on the NHS website for simple ways to manage stress and anxiety.

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