How Do You Persuade Someone To Quit Smoking?
If you are concerned about a friend, family member or colleague you know who is a smoker, try this approach to encourage them to quit. • Sit down with the person and tell him or her that you’re worried about his or her health. Ask your friend to quit smoking. Give your friend your reasons, and stick to facts. Be honest about why it upsets you so much that the person you care about is smoking and damaging his or her health. • Ask the person if they would like to quit. Chances are they do, but sometimes, they don’t. Persisting may only exacerbate the problem and bring guilt. • Find out what reasons for quitting are important to the person and help explore them in more detail. Someone who has given up on his or her own health may still be concerned for the health of loved ones. • Listen to what is keeping them from quitting. Can you help to address those reasons? • Offer your help. If the person says that he or she just cannot quit, offer your help. Be supportive and gentle. If the smoker
• Sit down with the person and tell him or her that you’re worried about his or her health. Ask your friend to quit smoking. Give your friend your reasons, and stick to facts. Be honest about why it upsets you so much that the person you care about is smoking and damaging his or her health. • Ask the person if they would like to quit. Chances are they do, but sometimes, they don’t. Persisting may only exacerbate the problem and bring guilt. • Find out what reasons for quitting are important to the person and help explore them in more detail. Someone who has given up on his or her own health may still be concerned for the health of loved ones. • Listen to what is keeping them from quitting. Can you help to address those reasons? • Offer your help. If the person says that he or she just cannot quit, offer your help. Be supportive and gentle. If the smoker denies being addicted, say “I’ve seen the number of times a day you smoke. I see how you’re always interrupting your fun times or leav
